Welcome Croeso Sir Michael Pitt National IPC Stakeholder Event in - PDF document

Welcome Croeso

Sir Michael Pitt National IPC Stakeholder Event in Wales

What is the IPC? – Planning Act 2008 – Nationally significant infrastructure – England and Wales. Three core values underpin everything we do: – Independent – Impartial – Inclusive.

Why the IPC? – Simplifying the process – Ensuring a fairer approach, with better opportunities for all to take part – Insisting on the highest standards of applications from promoters – Applying independent professional and technical judgement – Reducing the time taken for deciding major applications to less than a year – Cutting the cost of delivering national infrastructure by £300 million annually

Our five commitments 1. Engagement 2. Openness 3. Consensus 4. Sustainability 5. Independent decisions

Ready for business The IPC is already hard at work – 26 Commissioners appointed, 40 by end of the year – 40 staff, 80 by the end of the year Serving our customers – EIA scoping opinions – Section 51 advice – Pre-application engagement

Switched on for applications – Case management system – New website – Trained Commissioners – Consultees and stakeholders – Responded to the draft NPSs

The IPC in Wales (1) Important differences between statutory regimes: • Only energy and ports development are IPC matters in Wales, other infrastructure is devolved • IPC has no powers to consent associated development in Wales • Certain deemed consents cannot be included in the Development Consent Order without the agreement of the relevant Welsh authority.

The IPC in Wales (2) – Welsh Language scheme – Welsh speaking caseworkers – Welsh Commissioners – WAG

An emerging consensus? – Acceptance that old system had to go – Opposition is moderating Widespread support for: – Single consent regime – National Policy Statements – Swifter decisions – Openness and transparency

Projects anticipated in Wales • 7 out of 22 anticipated projects on IPC programme are in Wales:

Projects anticipated in Wales A further 4 projects could impact Welsh Communities due to visibility from Welsh coastline: – Hinkley Point, Somerset – new nuclear power station (visible from Cardiff) – Oldbury, Gloucestershire – new nuclear power station (visible from Newport) – Irish Sea offshore windfarm (15km off Anglesey) – The Atlantic Array offshore windfarm, Bristol Channel (visible from the Vale of Glamorgan)

Two ways of operating Application NPS in NPS not place? in place? Single Panel SofS Commissioner

Active engagement Pre- Pre-application advice Application 28 days to validate application and decide whether to accept Validation Promoter publicises accepted application Pre- Examination IPC appoints Panel or Single Commissioner to carry out initial assessment and pre-examination meeting before making procedural decision on how application is to be examined. 6 months to carry out examination, including written representations and hearings Examination Promoter and other parties engaged in examination process IPC has 3 months to issue decision and statement of reasons Decision Post 6 week window for legal challenge Decision

Pre-application: effective engagement Other relevant General organisations Public Applicant Potential Land Owners & Objectors Neighbours Government Depts Statutory & NPS Local Authorities Consultees Advice, encouragement IPC Secretariat

IPC outreach programme IPC organises meeting between promoter and relevant local authorities to discuss Scoping approaches to joint working during the pre- Meeting application stage IPC sends letter to local authority Chief IPC Letter Executive, all statutory consultees, local MPs and selected national NGOs IPC explains its purpose and roles, Stakeholder highlighting the opportunities for Meeting stakeholder engagement throughout the DC process IPC IPC issues local press adverts and leaflets Information to inform communities about the IPC, its Campaign roles and responsibilities IPC facilitates meeting between promoter and lead local authority to agree joint work Inception Day plan and programme for the pre- application stage

Post-application: effective gathering of evidence and decision making General Applicants Other relevant Public organisations Potential IPC Commissioners Land Owners & Objectors Neighbours Statutory Government Depts Consultees Local Authorities & NPS Administrative support IPC Secretariat

The Commissioners CHAIR IPC Board Chair Deputies (2) CEO Directors (4) Non Executive Council Panel Panel Panel Directors (2) Between 5 and 9 Commissioners including Chair and Deputies Panel Cases Single Commissioner cases (Relatively straight forward) (Relatively complex) Committees Audit & Risk Remuneration

Commissioners: evaluating the technical evidence – Habitats regulations – Feasibility of carbon capture – Pollution control – Noise and vibration – Hazardous substances – Bird strike – Flood risk – Electro-magnetic fields – Emissions and eutrification

Decision making - Commissioners – Must determine in accordance with NPS, unless: – Disbenefits outweigh benefits – Unlawful or breach of obligations – Consideration of WAG policy i.e. TAN 8 – Can approve or, refuse or impose conditions – Must work to statutory time limits.

Contact us Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) Temple Quay House Temple Quay Bristol BS1 6PN 0303 444 5000 ipcenquiries@infrastructure.gsi.gov.uk www.independent.gov.uk/infrastructure