The government has announced that it has a target of fast-tracking the determination of 150 DCOs over the course of this parliament. You might want to underline the word 'determination' (not 'granting') in that sentence, but the drive is clear: the Prime Minister wants to send 'a very clear message to the nimbys, the regulators, the blockers and bureaucrats'. The total number of DCOs granted since the regime came into force (15 years ago or so) is approximately 140, 10 below the target over the course of the coming five years.

The other interesting phrase the Prime Minister used was 'fast-tracking', but it does not appear that many developers are taking up the (formally defined, new) fast-track route. How could this target be met? There are currently 36 applications in the post-acceptance stage. As far as the official record is concerned, there are 46 applications at the pre-application stage (though that includes some zombie projects). Together, those would constitute just half of the target, but getting the other half to come forward – noting the requirements for pre-application consultation, EIA production and development, means that it is an ambitious target indeed.