Advice to A Ryan
Back to listEnquiry
- From
- A Ryan
- Date advice given
- 2 April 2012
- Enquiry type
- Post
See attached letter.
Advice given
This proposal is currently at the pre-application stage of the process, at this stage the National Infrastructure Directorate (NID) is unable to process or respond to comments. This ensures the impartiality of the NID and protects the interests of all parties involved in the process. However, correspondence received by the NID during this stage will be retained on file and made available to the Commissioner once the application is submitted.
As you are aware the Highways Agency is currently consulting with local communities on their proposal in accordance with the duties which the Planning Act 2008 places upon them. At this stage, I would suggest that engaging in this consultation is the most appropriate action. Their project website can be accessed via the following link: http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/14909.aspx
As your letter raises concerns with the consultation being carried out you may also wish to send a copy of your correspondence to the relevant local authority. When an application is submitted to the IPC (following the pre-application stage), we have a 28 day period during which a Commissioner will decide whether to accept the application to progress to the examination stage. During this time we will invite relevant local authorities to provide us with their comments on the adequacy of the promoter?s consultation.
If the application is accepted for examination, there will be the opportunity to register your views with the IPC and participate in the examination by completing a relevant representation form. Details about how and when to register will be publicised by the developer in local newspapers and on site notices. Please note that you are unable to register as an interested party during the current (pre-application) stage of the process for this proposal.
We received a letter from the Highways Agency dated 29 February 2012 informing us of amendments made to their Consultation Summary Document, showing the correct locations of cuttings and embankments. I understand that this may clarify some of the points raised in your letter.
Further information about how to participate in the application process can be found in our advice notes.
A link to the relevant section of our website is provided below. At the pre-application stage ?Advice Note 8.1: How the process works? and ?Advice Note 8.2: How to have your say on a major infrastructure proposal? may be of particular interest.
http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/legislation-and-advice/advice-notes/ Furthermore as of 1 April 2012, as part of the Localism Act, the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) will be abolished and a new National Infrastructure Directorate will be created within the Planning Inspectorate, an agency of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
The move to the Planning Inspectorate will be seamless and the examination of applications for major infrastructure projects will not be delayed. You should however note that as from 1 April 2012 any correspondence about major infrastructure projects will be addressed from the National Infrastructure Directorate, Planning Inspectorate.