Mr Ward sent an email to the IPC regarding the Mid Wales Connections Project (National Grid and SPEN). The issues raised included TAN 8 and Environmental Assessments.

The National Grid Mid Wales Connections schemes are  currently at the 'pre-application' stage of our process, as set out in the Planning Act 2008. During the pre-application stage, there is a duty on the developer to undertake consultation with people living in the vicinity of the proposed project, and to have regard to responses to that consultation. In order for comments to be taken into account at this stage, comments and responses should be directed to National Grid as the developer of the project  in Shropshire.
The IPC's role at the pre-application stage is to provide advice about the process of making an application, or the process of making a representation about an application. Whilst we are happy to be copied in on any comments you make to the developer, we are unable to provide legal opinions or comment on the merits of the scheme or national policy. This ensures the impartiality of the IPC and protects the interests of all parties involved in the application process. All advice that we give is recorded via an advice log, in line with s.51 of the Planning Act 2008. This log is published on our website. 
With the above in mind, may I therefore suggest that the queries set out in your letter are raised directly with the promoter of the Mid Wales Connection scheme where appropriate. 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
Your local council also plays a role in the process at the pre-application stage and we would encourage you to copy to the council any comments you send to the developer at the pre-application stage. Further information on this and how you can be involved in the developers? consultation is detailed in advice note 8.2, this can be found at: attachment 2
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;
- Any comments on the adequacy of consultation submitted by relevant Local Authorities; and
- The extent to which National Grid have followed the guidance published by the Commission and the Secretary of State.
If an application is accepted for examination by the Infrastructure Planning Commission, you are able to become directly involved in the examination of an application. A suite of advice notes has been published providing information on how and when members of the public can become involved in the planning process and have their say. In particular, advice note 8.3 provides information on how to register and make a written representation. This can be found at: attachment 3
 
With regard to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), it is likely that the development will require EIA. The EIA Regulations 2009 impose procedural requirements for carrying out EIA on certain NSIP proposals. For example, NSIPs such as nuclear power stations always require EIA. Other NSIPs, such as wind farms, only require EIA if they are likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of their nature, size or location.  Schedule 4, Part 1 of the EIA Regulations 2009 requires 'A description of the likely significant effects of the development on the environment, which should cover the direct effects and any indirect, secondary, cumulative, short, medium and longterm, permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects of the development, resulting from:
(a) the existence of the development;
(b) the use of natural resources;
(c) the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances and the elimination of waste, and the description by the applicant of the forecasting methods used to assess the effects on the environment. 
The EIA Regulations 2009 can be found at the following address:  http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/uksi_20092263_en.pdf
The role of the IPC under the EIA Regulations 2009 includes:
- 'Screening? proposals to determine whether they are EIA Developments ; 
- ?Scoping? proposals to advise the applicant what information should be provided within the Environmental Statement (ES) ? this involves seeking views from ?consultation bodies?;  
- Facilitating the preparation of environmental statements by notifying consultation bodies about their duty to provide information and  informing the applicant ;
- Evaluating environmental information in the ES and any representations made about the environmental effects before making a decision;    
- Publicising the IPC?s screening and scoping opinions . 
- Publicising any decision (whether made by the IPC or the Secretary of State) in relation to an application which has been accompanied by an ES. 
Further information on EIA and the IPC can be found at:
attachment 4