New UK Ports Planning Policy Takes Effect, Replacing 14-Year-Old Rules

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On 15 October, the UK Department for Transport formally implemented the revised National Policy Statement for Ports, replacing the original policy framework established in 2012. The new policy applies to ports in England and to trust ports in Wales for which the central government retains management authority, currently involving Milford Haven, and covers nationally significant port infrastructure as well as road and rail connection projects included in the same development scheme. Keir Mather, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Aviation, Maritime and Logistics, completed the formal revision procedure under the Planning Act 2008.

The Department for Transport launched a public consultation on the policy revision in June 2025 and submitted the revised text to Parliament for scrutiny on 6 July 2026. Within the statutory 21 parliamentary sitting days, Parliament did not pass a resolution of disapproval, and the revised policy formally took effect on 15 October. The new policy continues to adopt an approach whereby project applicants present the case for infrastructure need and port investment is primarily market-driven, while retaining a policy position supportive of port development.

The new policy incorporates port expansion, port land use and supporting transport connections into the decision-making framework for major infrastructure development consent, and updates policy requirements relating to port decarbonisation, biodiversity and environmental impact. Project developers must prepare application materials in accordance with this framework, and examining authorities and the relevant Secretary of State use the corresponding policy criteria in the development consent order approval process.

Port freight forecasts published by the Department for Transport show that freight volumes at major ports are expected to grow from 420.6 million tonnes in 2023 to 453.5 million tonnes in 2050, an increase of 7.8%. Among these, unitised freight volumes are projected to grow by 56.7%, dry bulk by 61.7%, while liquid bulk is expected to fall by 63.3%. The new policy reaffirms that there is a substantial need for port facility expansion in the UK over the next 30 years.