As the Chairman of HAG, Hub Action Group (Abermule), I am enquiring about the SoCC document, relating to Powys wind farm connections to the grid, which I understand should have been available before consultation started. Has a copy been lodged with you, we have enquired at all the normal places to no avail. If you have a copy could you forward one to us, if not could you advise on further action. National Grid are stalling at the moment.

It is our understanding that this project is currently conducting informal community consultation in Shropshire and Mid Wales. As such, at this stage, there is no requirement in the 2008 Planning Act ('the 2008 Act') for the Statement of Community Consultation (SOCC) to be made available. It is at the commencement of formal consultation under s.47 of the 2008 Act that requires that ?The applicant must prepare a statement setting out how the applicant proposes to consult, about the proposed application, people living in the vicinity of the land?. It is at this stage that the SOCC is published and made available to the public. It is for the applicant to decide when to commence formal consultation under s.47 of the 2008 Act. As such we do not have a copy of the SOCC document to forward to you.
The National Grid project team can be contacted on 0800 019 5325 or by email at national [email protected]. There is also a project website; attachment 1 .
At the point of submission of an application to the IPC, the applicant is required to submit a Consultation Report detailing the consultation it has undertaken and how it has had regard to the responses received. This can include consultation undertaken both formally under s.47, and informally. Further information on pre-application processes and the SOCC under the 2008 Act can be found in IPC advice note one, attachment 2.