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Advice to Andrew Close

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Enquiry

From
Andrew Close
Date advice given
16 February 2011
Enquiry type
Email

Enquirer asked if the IPC could provide him with a link to decision notices for major renewable energy projects.

Advice given

The IPC was established on 1st October 2009 under the Planning Act 2008 and is therefore a relatively new organisation. In addition, the IPC was only ‘switched on’ to receive applications from 1st March 2010, for this reason we have not yet made decisions on any applications we have received.

The IPC application process is one which involves several stages; in the first instance a developer will notify the IPC of their intention to submit an application, this is the Pre-application stage; they will then embark on consultation with the public regarding the proposal. At this stage the developer must contact the relevant local authority to discuss what should be in the Statement of Community consultation (SoCC) which describes how the local community will be consulted. The developer must also consult a range of statutory consultees and publicise the application in accordance with regulations. Once an application is submitted, the IPC has 28 days within which to decide whether or not to accept it for Examination. At the Pre-examination stage the public has an opportunity to register to have their say to the IPC about the accepted application. Although registration is time limited, a minimum of 28 days will always be provided. The IPC has six months to carry out the Examination stage of the process. After the examination has been completed and if the relevant National Policy Statement (NPS) has been designated the IPC has three months within which to make a decision. If the relevant NPS has not been designated then the IPC will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State (SoS) who will be the decision maker. It can take up to three months to make a recommendation to the SoS and a further three months for the SoS to make a decision. Finally, once a decision has been issued, any legal challenge must be made within six weeks. These are the current arrangements under the Planning Act 2008.

The IPC has received three applications in total, two of which were accepted to proceed to Examination. The Rookery South Energy from Waste Plant, Bedfordshire is currently in the Examination stage of the process. The Brig y Cwm Energy from Waste Plant, Merthyr Tydfil is currently in the Pre-examination stage of the application process. For more information on the IPC’s application process go to: http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/application-process/the-process/ or refer to the Planning Act 2008 which can be found at: http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ukpga_20080029_en.pdf .

However, it may be useful for you to contact DECC or access their website where there could be decision notices for applications which they have granted. DECC’s Energy Infrastructure Portal may also have useful information.