IPC receives first formal applications for development consent

The Infrastructure Planning Commission has received its first formal applications for development consent.

The two schemes are:

• A 132,000 volt overhead electricity line connecting Maesgwyn wind farm in Banwen, Neath to the national grid
• An energy from waste and materials recovery facility with 65MW output to be located at Rookery South, Bedfordshire.

The IPC has 28 days from receipt of the applications to decide whether or not to reject them.

If accepted, the applications will be examined by IPC Commissioners. This process will provide the public with an opportunity to make written representations and participate in relevant hearings.

Under the IPC’s timetable, a decision should be reached within a year of the application being accepted.

Sir Michael Pitt, chairman of the IPC, said: “A great deal of preparatory work has been done and the arrival of the first two project applications and the continuing rapid expansion of the programme of projects demonstrates growing confidence in the streamlined process for deciding nationally significant infrastructure projects.”

Pitt said a major priority for the commission in coming weeks was to continue its work with communities affected by proposals.

Angus Walker, a partner at Bircham Dyson Bell who writes a blog on the Planning Act 2008, said the timing of the applications meant that, on current policy and timetable, the IPC will be allowed to decide the applications.

"This is because they are likely to be decided in about a year's time, which is between the expected date that the six energy national policy statements are finalised (spring 2011) and the date that the IPC is expected to be replaced by the Major Infrastructure Planning Unit (April 2012)," he explained.