Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted
Complex electricity network decisions demand earlier strategic settlement and community involvement.
Conclusion
The complex judgments involved in evaluating different options for electricity network infrastructure not only raise a strong argument for settling these strategic considerations at an earlier stage, but also heighten the need for affected communities to be involved in those decisions. (Conclusion, Paragraph 53)
Government Response Summary
The government states NESO’s CSNP process will be transparent, inclusive, and subject to public consultation, and is introducing a Planning and Infrastructure Bill amendment to improve community engagement for NSIPs, supported by new statutory guidance.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
NESO’s CSNP process will be transparent and inclusive allowing for stakeholder engagement, and it will include opportunities for stakeholders to submit electricity network proposals. It will assess community impacts as part of its analysis and be subject to public consultation. It will also interact with the Regional Energy Strategic Plans to account for local community needs in national planning. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes an amendment to the NSIP regime to how applicants engage with statutory bodies, landowners and communities. This tabled amendment will remove the statutory requirement to consult as part of the pre-application stage for NSIP applications, bringing requirements in line with all other planning regimes. It seeks to focus on the outcome of delivering well-developed applications supported by a more meaningful approach to engagement, rather than focusing on the operation of statutory processes and requirements; and increase flexibility for applicants and those they engage to calibrate their work on an application based on its unique requirements, as opposed to a one size fits all approach. To support this change, the government intend to publish statutory guidance setting out strong expectations that developers undertake consultation and engagement prior to submitting an application.