Query regarding consultation being undertaken by National Grid and the 2008 Planning Act process.

Whilst we are happy to be copied in on any comments you make to the developer, we are unable at the pre-application stage to enter into any discussion or debate about the merits of any aspect of the application that National Grid proposes to make. This ensures the impartiality of the Infrastructure Planning Commission (the Commission) and protects the interests of all parties involved in the application process.
At the pre-application stage, the onus is on the developer to undertake pre-application consultation and to take account of any responses received. To ensure that your views are taken into account, comments on this application should be submitted directly to National Grid. The Local Authorities also provide a report on the adequacy of consultation, which can take into account views of the public.
Once the pre-application consultation duties are complete, the developer may submit an application to the Commission. The Commission has 28 days to decide whether to accept the application to proceed to the examination stage. This decision is based on whether, amongst other matters, the pre-application consultation has been adequate. When making a decision on whether the pre-application consultation has been adequate, the Commission will have regard to:
- National Grid?s 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;
- Any comments on the adequacy of consultation submitted by the relevant Local Authorities (in this case, Shropshire Council and Powys County Council); and
- The extent to which National Grid has followed the guidance published by the Commission and the Secretary of State.
If the application is accepted for examination, then there will be further opportunities for you and others to engage directly with the Commission. If the application is accepted, the application will proceed to pre-examination and then on to examination which will be publicly available. Further information on the 2008 Planning Act process and the role of the IPC can be found on the IPC website.
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