Advice to Mainstream Renewable Power Ltd
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- From
- Mainstream Renewable Power Ltd
- Date advice given
- 15 November 2012
- Enquiry type
Dear Mike, I?m writing to you just to follow up my telephone message. We?ve noticed that there is a difference in the advice given in the original Project One scoping opinion (Dec 2010) and the updated opinion (May 2012) in response to the addendum submitted earlier this year.
In the May 2012 Scoping Opinion PINS have advised that a cumulative impact assessment would consider built and operational projects in the baseline. In the Dec 2010 Scoping Opinion PINS have advised that cumulative impacts should be assessed against the baseline position however built and operational projects should be included in the list of other major developments to be considered. I would be grateful if we could discuss ? just to clarify the agreed approach and to understand the basis for the change. For ease of reference I?ve copied out the relevant section from the Dec 2010 and May 2012 Scoping Opinion below provided for the addendum earlier this year. Many thanks Rachael Rachael Mills Environment Manager Mainstream Renewable Power Ltd. 11th Floor 140 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5DN, UK Tel: +44(0) 207 776 5562 Mobile: +44 (0) 7711376279 Rachael.Mills@mainstreamrp.com www.mainstreamrp.com Dec 2010 Scoping Opinion states: ?Cumulative impacts should consider both onshore and offshore major and relevant developments. The Commission recommends that other major developments in the area should be taken into account for the purposes of assessing cumulative impacts through consultation with the local planning authorities and other relevant consenting bodies on the basis of major developments that are: ? Built and operational; ? Under construction; ? Permitted application(s), but not yet implemented; Submitted application(s) not yet determined; ? Projects on the Commission?s Programme of Projects; ? Identified in the relevant Development Plan (and emerging Development Plans - with appropriate weight being given as they move closer to adoption) recognising that much information on any relevant proposals will be limited; and ? Sites identified in other policy documents, as development reasonably likely to come forward.? The Commission recommends that offshore wind farms should also take account of any offshore licensed and consented activities in the area, (if not already covered in relation to those major developments identified in paragraph 3.20 above) for the purposes of assessing cumulative effects through consultation with the relevant licensing/consenting bodies. May 2012 Scoping Opinion states: ?The potential cumulative impacts with other major developments will need to be identified, as required by the Directive. The significance of such impacts should be shown to have been assessed against the baseline position (which would include built and operational development). In assessing cumulative impacts, other major development should be identified through consultation with the local planning authorities and other relevant authorities on the basis of those that are: ? under construction ? permitted application(s), but not yet implemented ? submitted application(s) not yet determined ? projects on the National Infrastructure?s programme of projects ? identified in the relevant development plan (and emerging development plans - with appropriate weight being given as they move closer to adoption) recognising that much information on any relevant proposals will be limited, and ? identified in other plans and programmes (as appropriate) which set the framework for future development consents/approvals, where such development is reasonably likely to come forward. Details should be provided in the ES, including the types of development, location and key aspects that may affect the EIA and how these have been taken into account as part of the assessment. The SoS recommends that offshore wind farms should also take account of any offshore licensed and consented activities in the area, for the purposes of assessing cumulative effects, through consultation with the relevant licensing/consenting bodies.? Mainstream Renewable Power Limited is a private limited company registered in Ireland. Registered number: 453076. Registered address: Arena House, Arena Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18, Ireland. Mainstream Renewable Power Company Proprietary and Confidential Information. If you have received this message in error you should delete it from your system immediately and advise the sender. This email was received from the INTERNET and scanned by the Government Secure Intranet anti-virus service supplied by Cable&Wireless Worldwide in partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM Certificate Number 2009/09/0052.) In case of problems, please call your organisation?s IT Helpdesk. Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for legal purposes.
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Advice given
Hi Rachael,
Many thanks for your recent query regarding the scope of the environmental impact assessment for Hornsea Project One, particularly seeking clarification in relation to other development to be taken into account as part of the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) and the approach with regard to the baseline for that assessment.
The paragraph to which you refer related to other major development in the area that should be identified. I can confirm that the wording in the most recent Scoping Opinion issued for Hornsea Project One sought to clarify the projects to be taken into account, and in terms of the description of the position at the baseline year, that this should include built and operational development. This position is presented in our Advice Note 9 (Rochdale Envelope) and is our current position and should be applied by developers preparing EIA's for NSIP applications. I hope this clarifies the matter.
Kind regards
David
David Price EIA and Land Rights Manager National Infrastructure Directorate, The Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN Direct Line: 03034445055 Helpline: 0303 444 5000 Email:david.price@infrastructure.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.planningportal.gov.uk/planninginspectorate (Planning Inspectorate casework and appeals) Web: www.planningportal.gov.uk/infrastructure (Planning Inspectorate's National Infrastructure Planning portal)
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