1. Section 51 advice
  2. Advice in detail

Advice to Protect Wyre Group

Back to list

Enquiry

From
Protect Wyre Group
Date advice given
11 April 2011
Enquiry type
Phone

The IPC case team spoke with Mr Mulroy of Protect Wyre Group to discuss

  1. How correspondence relating to the consultation being undertaken by Halite Energy on the Preesall Gas Storage proposal will be handled by the IPC,

  2. The future of the IPC and its integration with the Planning Inspectorate, and

  3. The process by which the adequacy of pre-application consultation undertaken by developers is assessed when an application is made to the IPC.

Advice given

The IPC advised;

  1. That the pre-application consultation that is being conducted is entirely the responsiablity of the developer. We will consider whether or not consultation has been adequate when an application is submitted. Meanwhile, we will respond to any correspondence addressed to us; and read any correspondence that is sent to us in copy. We will make all this correspondence available to the commissioner should an applicaton be submitted. The IPC is happy to be copied into correspondence of this kind.

  2. The government has announced that the IPC will be abolished, with its functions and officers interated into the Planning Inspectorate, an Executive Agency of DCLG, with decisions taken by Ministers. This is anticipated to happen in April 2012. Under current arrangements, where the relevant National Policy Statement(NPS) has been adopted, the Commission will make the decision. The energy NPSs have not yet been adopted.

  3. The IPC will appoint an acceptance (S55) Commissioner to consider whether or not an application is able to proceed to examination. This will include a decision on whether or not the requirements for pre-application consultation have been met. The views of host and neighbouring Local Authorities will be sought before this decision is made.