Query regarding attendance of National Grid at a local meeting and the impact a lack of attendance could have on thier consultation.

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 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 .
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.
Further information on pre-application processes can be found in IPC guidance note one, attachment 2.