6.20 The suggestion of adopting the deemed (rather than separate) marine licence approach for harbour orders as well as for DCOs is also noted, as a point separate (at least for the time being) from the drafting of the NPSP. 6.21 This is a matter for DEFRA to consider further, but in the meantime we do again note that the dual role of the MMO in harbour order casework renders this proposal perhaps less compelling or pressing than it might otherwise have been. 6.22 Having considered this point, we intend to keep a separate section on dredging in the final proposed NPSP. Dredging is a unique feature of port applications across the National Policy Statement for Ports: range of NSIP and DCO development, and does involve regulatory features not present elsewhere. On balance we still think highlighting it in this way is justified in order to draw out its potential importance, but the overall regulation of dredging will indeed continue including in the context of wider marine licensing requirements and the dredge disposal levy, as noted above. National Policy Statement for Ports: 7. Conclusions and next steps 7.1 The Government is grateful to the Transport Committee for its careful consideration of the proposed amended NPSP, and to all those who contributed written and oral evidence. We are similarly grateful 7.2 The NPSP will be amended in accordance with the responses to recommendations and to other points made set out above. 7.3 The NPSs will be laid in Parliament for a 21-sitting day consideration period, before being published on GOV.UK. Once published, the updated 2025 NPSP will have effect in relation to applications for development consent accepted for examination. For any applications that have been accepted for examination before publication of the updated NPS, the 2012 version will underpin planning decisions. 7.4 The Department for Transport will follow up the review of the NPSP to broaden awareness of its role in the planning and consenting processes, including with local authorities. Department for Transport July 2026 National Policy Statement for Ports: Appendix: summary of consultation A1 This Appendix to the response to the Transport Committee, complementing it, summarises the responses to the Department for Transport’s consultation and also the ‘take note’ debate held by the House of Lords in Grand Committee on 14 October 2025. A2 The National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP) sets out the planning framework for port-related development under the Planning Act 2008. In light of evolving policy priorities, environmental imperatives, and extensive stakeholder engagement, a comprehensive update to the NPSP is necessary to ensure it remains robust, relevant, and fit for purpose. The Department launched its consultation on 4 June and it closed on 29 July. A3 38 responses were received from a range of stakeholders including from the ports sector, non-governmental organisations and others with an interest in the sector. There was significant overlap with respondents to the Committee’s call for evidence. Market-led Some disagreement with market led approach A4 Within their responses to the consultation on the NPSP, 8 individuals directly disagreed with the market led approach and 13 of the 20 respondents who agreed acknowledged the risk of market failure. Those who explicitly disagreed did so as they had concerns about relying solely on market and commercial considerations could undermine sustainable and inclusive development. Here there was the recommendation for the NPSP to explicitly recognise the need for government intervention where market failure or strategic national interest justifies it, in particular to support decarbonisation, freight resilience, and regional development. Ownership structures A5 In the Grand Committee debate it was argued that not all ports covered by the NPSP operate on the same statutory or capital structure, meaning that a completely market–led approach is not as it seems in policy as it fails to recognize that trust ports, lacking equity funding as they do, are constrained in their ability to borrow and therefore expand. National Policy Statement for Ports: Strategic Alignment and Policy Coherence Clarifying Interactions with Other Policy Frameworks A6 Several consultees argued that the NPSP should more clearly articulate its relationship with other National Policy Statements (e.g. EN-1, EN-3, NNNPS) and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). While cross-referencing exists, these consultees recommend a disclaimer noting that other NPSs may contain relevant provisions. This would aid navigation without creating unintended legal obligations. One suggestion was to include an appendix summarising port-relevant provisions in other NPSs. Spatial Planning and Local Relevance A7 Some TSC and consultation respondents saw a need for stronger links to local development frameworks and marine plans. Respondents noted that local authorities often lack familiarity with port opera