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Advice to Joan Girling

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Enquiry

From
Joan Girling
Date advice given
6 November 2015
Enquiry type
Email

To PINs
Please would you tell me if there are any changes to the Planning Regime that was set up to consider Sizewell C Nuclear Power station. I also request an update on the Planning Act 2008 as altered and amended following the consultation in 2013 as I cannot find the current document on your website.

As I understand it the Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) has been agreed using the new 3 stage Consultation. Is this correct? Stage 1has been completed, we now await Stage 2. when that has been undertaken and completed there will be a lapse of time before EDF submit their Stage 3 Consultation which we are now lead to believe will also be the DCO application. Does this mean that PINS will start to access the DCO before the Stage 3 is considered by Statutory Bodies and other interested parties?

I would also like to know how the Infrastructure Commission headed up by Lord Adonis fits into the Planning Regime if at all.

Advice given

Further to your email below I am responding as follows;

Previously Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) were dealt with by the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC). Under the Localism Act 2011, the IPC was abolished on 1 April 2012. Its functions transferred to the Planning Inspectorate on that date and are now delivered by its Major Applications and Plans Directorate.

As you are aware, the Planning Act 2008 (PA2008) has been amended namely by the Localism Act 2011 and the Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013. The version on our website is the original document (as enacted) and does not take account of these amendments. If you wish to view a more up to date version, please view the PA2008 which can be accessed at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/29/contents however please be aware that there may still be amendments outstanding.

It is for the developer to decide how many rounds of consultation they wish to carry out. However, the consultation must be carried out in accordance with the relevant sections of PA2008. It may be of use to you to view the advice provided to the developer and others via the S51 advice tab found on the project page of our website. A record of all the meetings that the Planning Inspectorate has had with the developer are recorded and available to view below:

http://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/eastern/sizewell-c-new-nuclear-power-station/?ipcsection=advice

You may wish to visit the developer's website for further information regarding their consultation or contact them direct on the details below:

Freephone Community Helpline: 0800 197 6102 Email: sizewell@edfconsultation.info

For information regarding the Infrastructure Commission please visit the website below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-infrastructure-commission

I hope the above is helpful however please do not hesitate to contact me further.