The Infrastructure Planning Commission has made the announcement as its list of anticipated projects has begun to grow to the extent it has prompted concerns about a backlog quickly developing.
A new 'route map' for the introduction of the regime says the IPC will begin to accept applications from the energy and transport sectors in March 2010, followed by waste water and hazardous waste in April 2011 and the water supply sector in April 2012.
The current list contains 13 anticipated projects, including five wind farms, four nuclear power stations, a biomass power plant, two overhead power lines and a road alteration project in Kent.
The IPC has also appointed three new commissioners: Gideon Amos, currently chief executive of the Town and Country Planning Association; Katharine Bryan, formerly chief executive of Northern Ireland Water; and solicitor Emrys Parry.
The body will be chaired by Sir Michael Pitt, former chair of NHS South West. Two more full time commissioners will be announced in the New Year and the IPC is currently recruiting a panel of 30 part time commissioners.
