Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project

Under Section 31 of the Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008) a Development Consent Order is required to authorise a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). In England, an onshore electricity generating station is considered to be a NSIP if the generating capacity is more than 50 MWe. North Killingholme Power Project is 470 MW, so it is a NSIP.

Development consent for a NSIP (and associated development) may only be granted by a DCO following an application under Section 37 of the PA 2008 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011). In certain circumstances an application for a DCO needs to be accompanied by an Environmental Statement. North Killingholme Power Project requires an Environmental Statement to accompany the DCO.

The IPC was established by the PA 2008 to examine and decide applications for development consent in respect of NSIPs, such as the North Killingholme Power Project. The system has been designed to give the public, local authorities and interest groups improved opportunities to get involved and to make their views known, whilst also reducing the time required for major applications to be determined. The Localism Act 2011 has abolished the IPC and transferred its functions to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). PINS will examine applications for NSIPs and make recommendations to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, who will be the decision-maker. Further information on the application process for NSIPs and other information about the PINS can be found on the UK infrastructure planning portal.

National Policy Statements

The PA 2008 requires new policy to inform decisions on NSIPs in England and Wales. Policy for such infrastructure is set out in National Policy Statements (NPS). Those that are the most relevant to the consideration of the Project are:

1. The Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (NPS EN-1);
2. The National Policy Statement for Fossil Fuel Electricity Generating Infrastructure (NPS EN-2).

In addition to considering the relevant NPS, the Secretary of State will determine the application for development consent in respect of North Killingholme Power Project having regard to the outcomes of consultation with the public and relevant statutory and non-statutory organisations. These include the local authority for the area in which the project is located; in this case this is North Lincolnshire Council. Regard will also be had to other policy documents and important and relevant matters in accordance with the provisions of the PA 2008.

Stages

There are several stages in the application process with PINS, including consultation and an environmental impact assessment; a number of stages are listed in this timeframe.

C.GEN consults with relevant and prescribed organisations, local authorities, interested parties and local communities in accordance with PA 2008.

C.GEN has undertaken a process of public / community consultation and has consulted on the basis of two geographic Consultation Zones around the Application Site.

• Consultation Zone 1 extends approximately 3 km from the Application Site; households within Zone 1 will be sent an Introductory Leaflet with details of planned public exhibitions. Project briefings have been directly offered to Town and Parish Councils within Zone 1.
• Consultation Zone 2 encompasses the area that is beyond Zone 1 and still in reasonable proximity to the Application Site. Consultation within Zone 2 has been more indirect. Zone 2 falls within the areas of the following local authorities: North Lincolnshire Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, Hull City Council, and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Consultation Programme

C.GEN has prepared a Consultation Report detailing how all comments received may have shaped and influenced the proposals for the Project to accompany the DCO Application; please note that your response may be made public as part of the application process (subject to legal requirements for data protection).