Mr Swaine sent an email to the IPC enquiring as to whether the IPC will consider the effects that each application (National Grid and SPEN) will have on mid Wales, including cumulative effects.

Before making an application for a development consent order (DCO), the developer must first decide whether the proposal is development requiring the production of an Environmental Statement (ES). If the proposal requires an ES, the applicant has the opportunity to ask the IPC for their formal opinion on the information to be included in the ES ? a ?scoping opinion?.
If a scoping opinion is requested, the IPC will issue an opinion which will include comments on the developer?s approach to identifying and assessing cumulative impacts.
In Wales, associated development or development not integral to the NSIP cannot be consented by the IPC as part of the DCO, although any cumulative or indirect effects would still need to be assessed as part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA).
The IPC expects an ES for a NSIP to describe the baseline situation and the proposed NSIP development within the context of the site and any other proposals in the vicinity. Other major development in the area would also be identified beyond the proposal itself including any associated development. The IPC recommends that other development should be identified through consultation with the local planning authorities in the area 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;
identified on the IPC?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 policy documents, (for example in Wales the Technical Advice Notes which establish strategic search areas) as development reasonably likely to come forward.
Details would be provided in the ES, including the types of development, location and key aspects that may affect the EIA and have been taken into account as part of the assessment.