IPC accepts Hinkley Point C nuclear power station application for examination

24 November 2011

Infrastructure Planning Commission accepted for examination for proposed nuclear power station.

On Thursday 24 November 2011 the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) accepted for examination, an application from EDF Energy for a proposed nuclear power station to be located at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

The application was submitted on 31 October 2011 and the decision to accept the application was made in accordance with section 55 of the Planning Act 2008. (The IPC has 28 days from the day after the date of receipt of an application to decide whether or not to accept it).

The decision and a copy of the application can be viewed at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station project page on the IPC website; www.independent.gov.uk/infrastructure

The Planning Act 2008, which established the IPC, sets high standards for applications and places a strong duty upon developers to involve the local community, local authorities and other stakeholders in the development of their proposal, ahead of submission.

Sir Michael Pitt, Chair of the IPC, said: "We have considered very carefully the application submitted by EDF Energy and decided that it meets the required tests set out in the legislation to be accepted for IPC examination.

"Of course, this does not mean that consent will be given for the project to go ahead - acceptance of the application simply means that the Commissioners can begin to make arrangements for the formal examination of the application".

It is now for EDF Energy to publicise the fact that its application has been accepted to proceed to examination and invite people who are interested in the proposal to register with the IPC as an interested party by making a relevant representation.

Interested parties in an application can:

o Say what they agree or disagree with in the application and why
o Comment on what other people have said in their representations
o Attend a Preliminary Meeting and say how they think the application should be examined
o Request that an open floor hearing is held
o Attend an open floor or issue-specific hearing
o Request to speak at a hearing.

Sir Michael said. "Shortly, the public will be invited to register as interested parties in this proposal, giving them their first opportunity to make formal representations to the IPC, whether they object to or support the project. Everyone who registers in the correct way can be sure that their evidence will be considered by the independent IPC Commissioners who will be appointed to examine the case."

He added: "A major priority for us over the next few weeks is to continue our work with communities who are affected by this proposal, to ensure that the process is understood and people know how and when to register as an interested party."

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