Consultation National Grid – North West Coast … of 132kV and a sufficient length is designated by the Planning Act 2008 (as amended) (PA 2008) as a nationally significant infrastructure

National Grid – North West Coast Connection Project – Statement of Community Consultation

LEAD OFFICER: John GrovesREPORT AUTHOR: John Groves

Summary and Recommendation:

As part of the process of seeking a Development Consent Order (DCO) for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), it is necessary for an applicant to consult with the Council to enable consideration a Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC).

This consultation is about the process of community engagement. It is not about commenting on the detail of the proposed development itself.

National Grid have prepared a SoCC which relates to their proposals to construct a new electricity transmission equipment, north and south from the proposed Moorside Nuclear Power Station, connecting to the existing national network at Carlisle in the north and Heysham in the south.

Members of the panel are requested to consider the submitted statement, comments which the Council has made to National Grid as the formal SoCC has been formulated, to agree an approach to response, where necessary delegating final sign off of a detailed response to the Strategic Nuclear and Planning Manager.

1. Introduction

1.1. The process of considering the options for connecting the proposed Moorside Power Station to the national grid transmission network has been the subject of consideration over a number of years. There has been a considerable amount of engagement with statutory bodies and the public already.

1.2. National Grid has refined its options and tabled a preferred route option in September 2015. This indicated an intention to develop an on shore route, north of Moorside, across the north of Copeland, linking to the Harker substation in Carlisle and an on shore route south of Moorside, with a tunnel beneath Morecombe Bay to reach Heysham on the Lancashire coast. This has been part of a process of National Grid refining proposals which would form the basis of an application for a Development Consent Order, made to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in 2017.

2. Purpose of the Report

2.1. Prior to the submission of the application for a DCO the applicant is required to consultant statutory parties, including the Council, over its intended approach to consultation over its proposals leading up to the submission of the DCO application. The Council has 28 days to respond. This report anticipates the submission of the formal SoCC and the Council’s response within the statutory timeframe.

2.2. The formal consultation process provides limited time for response. National Grid have engaged with the council as the SoCC has been in preparation. Attached documentation includes a draft SoCC and initial officer response. Appendices 1 and 2. Members will receive verbal update advising of the response to initial comment on the draft SoCC, both from Copeland and were applicable from other local authorities who are joint signatories to a Planning Performance Agreement which provides technical support and coordination of response to the wider NWCC project.

3. Key Issues

3.1 Response to the draft SoCC notes acceptance that the basic principles for consultation adopted are robust and meet expectations relating to the engagement with the residents and businesses within the Borough. This reflects successful consultation exercises which National grid has previously conducted as route options have been appraised.

3.2 The draft versions of the SoCC have prompted comment in terms of the need to have clarity of project definition. In common with the wider nuclear new build project the NWCC element continues to evolve in terms of the detail of proposals. Whilst general, preferred route corridors have been established there remains debate over areas where the detailed routing is considered critical, where environmental and visual impacts might prompt alternative pylon design or undergrounding. The Council has also previously raised issue over clarity of proposals in terms of potential for some routing to potential compromise scope for economic growth and clarity over locations where existing lower voltage networks will be replaced by the 400kv transmission network, to the potential detriment of the resilience of local supply. These issues will be appropriate matters for debate in the consultation process, but it is considered that no matter how effective the process of consultation, that the absence of clarity as to the precise nature of proposals will inhibit the ability of those invited to comment, to fully appraise issues which might be of concern to individuals, communities and businesses within the Borough.

3.3 Comment of the draft SoCC flagged the absence of a Whitehaven Town Centre consultation venue. Even though communities around Whitehaven have dedicated exhibition and consultation events it is considered that an accessible and longer standing event in Whitehaven gives greatest scope to access harder to reach groups

3.4 Lessons learnt from the consultation events conducted by NuGen have shown that younger age groups have not engaged in response to consultation relating to the Moorside proposals. The NWCC should seek to address this issue.

3.5 Consultation on the project should not be limited to seeking the views of residents. It should be considered to part of the wider process of ensuring that the community is fully engaged in the process, not only having the opportunity to comment where criticism is found of proposals, but also to enable understanding of opportunities to take benefit from the fact that development of this scale is taking place within the Borough. This should include the scope to identify job opportunities and the chance for local business to understand the development and economic benefits that it may bring. The draft SoCC made limited reference to the scope for engaging with educational and academic communities or local business.

4. Conclusions

4.1. The general approach to consultation and engagement is considered acceptable. Members will be appraised of NWCC response to issues raised having regard to the draft SoCC.

5. Background Papers

Appendices

Appendix 1 National Grid Draft Statement of Common Ground

North West Coast Connections Project

STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

DRAFT v.10

National GridNational Grid HouseWarwick Technology ParkGallows HillWarwickCV34 6DA

04 November 2015

1. INTRODUCTION TO NATIONAL GRID AND THE PROJECT

1.1. National Grid

1.1.1. National Grid operates the national electricity transmission network across Great Britain and owns and maintains the network in England and Wales, providing electricity supplies from generating stations to local distribution companies.

1.1.2 Our high voltage electricity system operates at 400,000 (400kV) and 275,000 (275kV) volts. This system is made up of approximately 22,000 pylons with an overhead line route length of 4,500 miles, 420 miles of underground cable and 337 substations.

1.1.3 We are proposing to build a new electrical grid connection through Cumbria and into Lancashire. This will connect Moorside, the proposed new nuclear power station near Sellafield, West Cumbria, to the national electricity transmission system (NETS). The proposed connection is known as the North West Coast Connections Project (‘the Project’).

1.1.4 In England and Wales the installation of an electric line above ground with a nominal voltage in excess of 132kV and a sufficient length is designated by the Planning Act 2008 (as amended) (PA 2008) as a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP). The PA 2008 also sets out the legal planning process for NSIPs.

1.1.5 Section 47(1) of the PA 2008 requires applicants to ‘prepare a statement setting out how the applicant proposes to consult about the proposed application with people living in the vicinity of the land’. Sections 42, 43 and 44 also specify certain groups and organisations with whom applicants must consult.

1.1.6 This Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) has been prepared in accordance with these requirements. It explains the statutory pre-application consultation we intends to carry out on our proposals for the Project, and how people can comment on and influence its development prior to an application for development consent being made.

1.1.7 We have also prepared a Consultation Strategy. The Strategy describes the non-statutory consultation National Grid has carried out to date and how the experience of this, together with the guidance, has informed the plan for the statutory consultation described in the SoCC. The Consultation Strategy provides a more detailed explanation of the engagement activities we intend to undertake. It also describes any consultation that is in addition to the statutory requirements of the Act. It explains:

i. who we will consult with;ii. where we will consult and when;iii. our strategy for encouraging consultation feedback; andiv. how we intend to review and act on this feedback.

1.2. The Proposed Project

1.2.1. As part of the UK’s binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gases to meet nationally and internationally set targets, the UK Government has committed to the development of an energy programme that seeks to increase the contribution from renewable and low-carbon generation.

1.2.2. The UK Government stated in its July 2009 white paper “The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan – National Strategy for Climate and Energy” that the UK electricity network needs to expand to connect the new sources of generation that are required to achieve the Government’s carbon and energy goals.

1.2.3. As part of the UK wide energy policy, the Government designated a site to the north of Sellafield, now known as Moorside, as being a suitable location for the development of a new nuclear power station. The site is identified in the National Policy Statement (NPS) for Nuclear Power Generation EN-6, which was approved by Parliament on 18 July 2011. The construction of a nuclear power station on this site, with a proposed generating capacity in the region of 3.4GW of electricity, is being promoted by NuGeneration Limited (NuGen)1.

1.2.4. There is no existing transmission system infrastructure near the site of the proposed Moorside nuclear power station. While there is a 132kV distribution network which runs near to Moorside, this does not have sufficient capacity to accommodate the amount of electricity the proposed power station will generate. In line with our statutory requirement we are therefore proposing to build new electrical infrastructure in Cumbria and Lancashire to connect the proposed generation to the existing transmission network for onward supply to homes and businesses. Further detail on the background to the project can be found in our Project Need Case2.

1.2.5 Our proposed Project includes the following principal elements and powers: i. Extension to the existing 400kV substation at Harker, near Carlisle; ii. Relocation of the 400kV ZX overhead line west of Harker, near Carlisle to allow the

construction of the new 400kV overhead line; iii. Construction of a 400kV transmission connection going south from the Harker substation

near Carlisle to Moorside in Cumbria; iv. Construction of new 400/132kV substation (s) at Moorside in Cumbria; v. Construction of a 400kV transmission connection going south from Moorside to [insert

location]; vi. Construction of new 400/132kV substation (s) at [insert location] in Cumbria; vii. Construction of a 400kV transmission cable tunnel under Morecambe Bay between tunnel

head houses at [insert location], Cumbria and Middleton, near Heysham in Lancashire; viii. Tunnel head house at [insert location] in Cumbria and adjacent to Middleton substation near

Heysham in Lancashire;ix. A ventilation and access/exit islet with permanent access facilities in Morecambe Bay for the

proposed tunnel; x. Extension to the existing 400kV substation at Middleton near Heysham in Lancashire; xi. Temporary and permanent access roads in certain locations; xii. Permanent highways works in certain locations; xiii. Associated works, for example, temporary access roads and highway works, temporary

construction compounds, and work sites; xiv. Permanent works to ENWL’s electricity distribution infrastructure:

a. modification to existing 132kV distribution infrastructure, involving the removal of certain 132kV overhead lines;

b. permanent works to existing 132kV substations at [insert locations]; c. works to modify the existing ENWL low voltage distribution network where

there are interfaces with the 400kV alignment; andd. permanent highway works in certain locations.

xv. Temporary works which may include: a. wood-pole trident or lattice tower line diversions of existing 132kV, 33kV, and

lower voltage overhead lines;

1 You can find more details about the proposed development at www.nugenconsultation.com.

2 National Grid (2014) North West Coast Connections Project, Need Case Issue 2, Version 0.0. available from http://www.northwestcoastconnections.com/docs/needcase2014.pdf

http://www.nugenconsultation.com/

http://www.northwestcoastconnections.com/docs/needcase2014.pdf

b. temporary access road construction; and other works, which include: temporary scaffold over roads, railways, navigable waterways and ENWL wood pole lines;

c. temporary highway works; d. temporary rail siding construction;e. temporary tunnel spoil handling, treatment and storage areas;f. temporary access, ventilation and exit shafts in [insert location(s)]; g. temporary marine works including jetties and/or pontoon mooring facilities to

facilitate islet/shaft construction at the islet/shaft construction site(s) in Morecambe Bay; and

h. temporary work sites including materials and soil storage areas, and construction compounds (providing parking for construction workers vehicles, areas for storing construction plant, and to provide temporary construction workers’ welfare accommodation).

xvi. Operation of the Project;a. The compulsory acquisition of land including rights in or over land required for

the purposes of the Project, or to facilitate or incidental to the Project;b. The application and/or disapplication of legislation relevant to the Project

including inter alia legislation relating to the compulsory acquisition of land; andc. Ancillary, incidental and consequential provisions, permissions or consents

which are necessary and/or convenient.

1.3. The Planning Process

1.3.1 The installation of a new 400kV overhead line and associated infrastructure is classified as an NSIP by the PA 2008. This means that a Development Consent Order (DCO) is required3 before the Project we propose can be built. In England applications for a DCO must be submitted to the Secretary of State for the Energy and Climate Change, via the Planning Inspectorate.

1.3.2 The role of the Planning Inspectorate is to accept and, via specially appointed Examining Authorities, to examine DCO applications. After examination, an examining authority will make a recommendation to the relevant Secretary of State (which in this case is the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change). It is the Secretary of State who will then decide whether the proposed Project can proceed.

1.3.3 The diagram below provides an overview of the DCO application process for the Project, with opportunities indicated in which people can inform and contribute to that process at different stages:

3 It should be noted that underground cables do not require a Development Consent Order. However, they

are included in our project description as they are intrinsically linked to the NWCC project.

1.3.4 The DCO application will be determined in accordance with National Policy Statements (NPSs)4 which set out the Government’s objectives and policies for new nationally significant infrastructure. There are two NPSs that are relevant to our Project:

i. EN-15 is the overarching statement that explains the need for new energy infrastructure; and

ii. EN-56 which focuses specifically on the development of nationally significant electricity network infrastructure.

1.3.5 We currently anticipate that a DCO application for the North West Coast Connections Project will be submitted in 2017.

1.3.6 Owing to the size and type of development we propose for our Project, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required under the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009.

1.3.7 We are therefore carrying out an EIA to ensure that the likely significant effects of our proposed Project are properly understood so that appropriate mitigation measures can be put in place.

4 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/47854/1938-overarching-nps-for-energy-en1.pdf 5 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/47858/1942-national-policy-statement-electricity-networks.pdf 6 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/37050/1942-national-policy-statement-electricity-networks.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/47854/1938-overarching-nps-for-energy-en1.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/47858/1942-national-policy-statement-electricity-networks.pdf




We will be asking individuals and organisations for their views on the Preliminary Environmental Information (PEI) as part of the consultation described in this SoCC.

1.3.8 The findings of the EIA will be set out in an Environmental Statement (ES) which will be submitted with the application for development consent. The PEI will be set out in a PEI Report which will be published prior to the Section 42 consultation.

1.4 Earlier stages of consultation

1.4.1 The PA 2008 requires that pre-application consultation is carried out with stakeholders, local communities and interest groups.

1.4.2 The government notes that the early involvement of local communities, local authorities and statutory consultees can bring about significant benefits for all parties. It allows people to influence the way in which a project is developed and how it is integrated into the community. Early engagement can help local communities better understand what a project might mean for them, so any concern that might otherwise result from misunderstanding can be resolved early. It also allows an applicant to obtain information about the economic, social and environmental impacts of a scheme from consultees so that potential mitigation measures can be considered and, in some cases, built into the project before an application is submitted.

1.4.3 Mindful of this guidance, we have carried out two rounds of non-statutory consultation with communities and stakeholders to help inform the development of our proposals. Details about the earlier activity we have carried out, and the feedback we received, is included in a series of feedback reports that we published and are available to view and download from our Project website7. A summary of this activity is also provided in our Consultation Strategy.

1.4.4 In early 2016 we will undertake a third stage of consultation on our proposals for the NWCC Project. In accordance with Sections 42, 47 and 48 of the PA 2008 this will be statutory pre-application consultation.

1.4.5 The following sections of this document set out how we intend to carry out this consultation and the opportunities there will be for people to have their say on our proposals.

2. Forthcoming Consultation

2.1 Purpose of the consultation

2.1.1 The purpose of the statutory consultation is to provide consultees with the opportunity to comment on our proposals, and influence the development of our proposed Project.

2.1.2 In accordance with Section 49 of the PA 20088, we will consider all the consultation responses we receive to determine the details of the final application we submit for DCO to the Planning Inspectorate.

2.2 Where we will consult

2.2.1 In accordance with Section 47 of the PA 2008 we must make reasonable effort to ensure that all communities potentially affected are consulted. There is no set rule that defines those deemed

7 www.northwestcoastconnections.com 8 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/29/section/49

http://www.northwestcoastconnections.com/

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/29/section/49

as falling into this category and a judgement must therefore be made as to what this means for the Project.

2.2.2 To help determine the areas where we will consult, we have considered where the Project may have a direct effect, either permanently or temporarily during the construction period. These effects are likely to come from the presence of infrastructure; construction requirements such as road modifications, access roads; lay-down areas, compounds or work sites; and increased traffic volume related to construction where this is off main roads.

2.2.3 We have identified a consultation zone9 in consideration of all these varying effects that is proportionate to the scale and impact of the Project. This consultation zone extends to include areas:

i. that are a minimum of 1km away from the draft connection design (including proposed transport routes);

ii. where we propose to undertake additional works to enable construction of transport/equipment areas or road modifications;

iii. where proposed mitigation measures may be required (for example, off-site planting, where these are further than one kilometre away).

2.3 Who we will consult

2.3.1 The PA 2008 requires that certain bodies and groups of people are consulted at the pre-application stage. We have identified a number of areas in which we intend to consultsets out details of who we should consult. This includes:

i. S47: people living in the vicinity of the land to which the proposed application relates.ii. S42(1)(a): such persons as may be prescribed (as set-out in the Infrastructure Planning

(Application: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009) (as amended);iii. S42(1)(b) and 43: local authorities as described in the PA 2008;iv. S42(1)(d) and 44: those with an interest in the land to which the proposed application

relates (such as ownership, tenancy and/or other interests).

Consultation with under-represented groups

2.3.2 We are committed to ensuring the consultation process and associated communications are made accessible to as many parts of the community as possible. These include the following groups:

i. Geographically isolated communities;ii. Economically inactive individuals and socially deprived communities;iii. Young people;iv. Older people;v. Disabled people and those with learning difficulties;vi. Ethnic minorities;vii. Holiday home owners, tourists and visitors; andviii. Time poor busy working people.

2.3.3 We recognise that some of the activities we plan will not be suitable to all members of the community, such as those with physical disability or language/learning difficulties. Bodies/organisations representing those considered under-represented or hard to reach will be consulted to ask if they would welcome specific consultation activities for their members. Requests would be viewed on a case-by-case basis and suitable activities would be planned and agreed with the requesting organisation.

9 A map illustrating the consultation zone is included in Appendix X of this document.

Consultation with visitors to the area/people who live outside the area

2.3.4 The Project area is a popular destination for tourists. We therefore recognise that people who live outside the area also have a stake in the proposals, and may have participated in previous consultation activities. We will consult this group in the following ways:

i. Consult with relevant tourism bodies in Cumbria and Lancashire;ii. Arrange for consultation materials to be available in tourist information offices; andiii. Notify all those people directly who have registered their personal details with us.

2.4 What we will consult on

2.4.1 The statutory consultation will present the latest proposed draft detailed connection design including our proposals for the design and sites of pylons and other infrastructure required.

2.4.2 We will show people what we propose to build, where and how we propose to build it, and the preliminary environmental information on which we have based our decisions. This will include, for example, our proposals for:

i. the draft route of the overhead line and [insert details of proposed mitigation as available at the time of consultation];

ii. pylon designs;iii. new substations and extensions/modifications to existing substations;iv. a tunnel;v. transport routes;vi. access roads and areas required for construction (such as works compounds); andvii. modifications to the existing ENWL distribution network.

2.4.3 An EIA will be prepared to ensure that the likely significant effects of our proposed Project are assessed and, where they cannot be avoided, appropriately mitigated. The EIA will cover all elements of the Project.

2.4.4 We will publish, and seek feedback on PEI, which will provide a preliminary assessment of the likely significant environmental effects of the Project. The PEI is intended to give members of the community an understanding of the potential likely environmental effects of the Project and measures we propose implementing to mitigate them. Copies of the PEI Report will be available at the locations listed below and on our website: www.northwestcoastconnections.com

2.4.5 We will also produce a series of documents, maps and plans to sit alongside the published PEI and together will make up our DCO application. More information about these documents is set out in section 2.5.

2.4.6 Consultees will be invited to comment on all or any part of our proposals.

2.5 How and when we will consult

2.5.1 Our consultation will run for 12 weeks (84 days) from [insert date] to [insert date] 2016 (including any holiday periods/bank holidays that may fall during the period).

2.5.2 All responses to the consultation must be received by [insert time] on [insert date] 2016.

2.5.3 We will endeavour to ensure that the consultation gives as many members of the community and individuals as possible the opportunity to access information about the Project and express


their views. While acknowledging that aspects of the Project may be complicated, we have identified a number of ways in which throughout the consultation period people can:

i. access clear and concise information about our proposals and their potential effects to aid constructive debate (this will include making all research, relevant project and technical documents available); and

ii. express their views and submit feedback to the statutory consultation about our proposals.

Project website

2.5.4 The project website www.northwestcoastconnections.com will be updated to promote information about the consultation. It will also be updated with information on the proposals and consultation, as well as being a resource for all Project materials.

Project newsletter

2.5.5 A newsletter will be published prior to the start of consultation events. This will be our main form of direct communication with the public and will provide information about the Project, exhibition events and locations.

2.5.6 A copy of this newsletter will be direct mailed to all the addresses with the consultation zone at the beginning of the consultation period. It will also be distributed to hard to reach and marginalised groups through contacts provided by local authorities and other organisations. It will also be made available online, at all public exhibition events and information points.

Project Information Booklet

2.5.7 We will develop a booklet to provide a summary of our proposals and information on the proposed application. It will also include details of how people can take part in the statutory consultation; how feedback will be taken into account used to influence the shape of our proposals; and how we will inform them of the outcome from this consultation. It will be available online and at all public exhibition events and information points.

Project feedback form

2.5.8 A Project Feedback Form will be prepared to enable people to provide us with feedback on our proposed application. Specific questions will guide people as to particular issues on which we are seeking comment. Hard copy forms will be available on request, at public exhibition events, and at information points. An online version of the feedback form will also be available on the Project website so people can submit their feedback electronically.

2.5.9 People will also be welcome to respond to the consultation by letter or email.

Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)

2.5.10 We will develop an FAQ detailing the most frequently asked questions about our proposals and their corresponding answers.

Technical documents, plans and non-technical summary

2.5.11 As part of the consultation we will make available those technical documents which explain what we propose to build, where we proposed to build it and the decisions we made in developing these proposals. These technical documents include the PEI Report which will


outline the information we have already collected about the environmental effects of the Project. Details drawings, maps and plans showing our proposed application at appropriate scales will also be made available.

2.5.12 Copies of these technical documents will be made available to download from the Project website, at public exhibition events (2.5.13), and deposit locations (2.5.16). We will also make available electronic copies free of charge on USB memory sticks.

Public Exhibition events

2.5.13 During the statutory consultation, we will hold 24 public exhibition events where communities will be able to find information about the Project and talk to members of the Project team. The exhibition events will be held at suitable, publicly accessible venues (within or near to our consultation zone) and people will be encouraged to provide their feedback on our proposed application. Table 1 below provides the dates, times and locations of the events we will hold.

Table 1 – Public exhibition event programmeEvent Date Time Location Venue1. Rockcliffe2. Carlisle West 3. Great Orton4. Wigton5. Aspatria6. Seaton7. Stainburn8. Distington 9. Moresby Parks10. Egremont11. Seascale12. Beckermet13. Drigg14. Ravenglass15.. Bootle16. Silecroft17. Broughton in Furness18. Kirkby in Furness19. Askam in Furness20. Lindal in Furness21. Newton in Furness22. Roosecote23. Rampside24. Heysham

2.5.14 Information available at the public exhibition events for people to view will include: i. Project display stands informing the public about the project and what we are consulting

on;ii. technical documents and plans published as part of the consultation (PEI Report); iii. the feedback form (including freepost envelopes); andiv. the Project Newsletter, Project Information Booklet and electronic copies of the Project

documents on a USB memory stick will be available for people to take away.

2.5.15 Members of the North West Coast Connections Project team will also be in attendance at all exhibition events. The team will include specialists who can talk about all of the key issues relating to the Project including the following subjects:

i. Technical engineering;ii. Planning consents;iii. Lands;iv. Environment and socio-economic;v. Communications and community engagement;vi. Electromagnetic fields.

Deposit locations

2.5.16 We will make available reference copies of the technical documents at centrally accessible deposit locations in the areas where we are consulting throughout the consultation period. At each deposit location we will make available; electronic copies of technical documents, along with printed reference copies of the PEI Non-Technical Summary, SoCC, and Consultation Strategy, as well as accompanying consultation materials. Table 2 provides a list of all the deposit locations where these materials will be located and their respective opening times.

Table 2: List of deposit locationsCumbria LancashireCumbria County CouncilThe Courts, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8NA

[insert details of opening hours and general enquiries tel. number]

Lancashire County Council Development Management GroupPO Box 100, County HallPreston, PR1 0LD


Cumbria County CouncilCounty Offices, Busher Walk, Kendal, CA9 4RQ


Lancaster City Council Town Hall Dalton Square Lancaster LA1 1PJ


Allerdale Borough Council Allerdale HouseWorkingtonCA14 3YJ


Lancaster City CouncilMorecambe Town HallMarine Road EastMorecambe LA4 5AF


Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council Local Development Framework SectionBarrow Borough CouncilTown Hall, Duke StreetBarrow-in-Furness, LA14 2LD


LONDON

National Grid Company Secretariat Office, 1-3 Strand, London WC2N 5EH

Monday to Thursday: 8am to 4.30pm

Carlisle City CouncilCivic CentreRickergate

CarlisleCA3 8QG


Copeland Borough CouncilSt. Georges RoadMillom


Copeland Borough CouncilThe Copeland CentreCatherine StreetWhitehavenCumbriaCA28 7SJ


Lake District National Park AuthorityMurley MossOxenholme RoadKendal Cumbria LA9 7RL


Contact Centre South Lakeland House Lowther Street Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4DL


South Lakeland District Council Contact Centre Ulverston Town Hall Ulverston Cumbria LA12 7AR

[insert details of opening hours and tel. number]

Information points

2.5.17 Information points will be set up to provide people with information on the consultation. These will comprise a banner or poster outlining the background to the consultation with relevant consultation materials available onsite including: copies of the newsletter, Project Information Booklet, feedback form (and freepost envelope), and FAQs. These points will be unmanned and available throughout the consultation period during the relevant opening hours of the individual venues. Table 3 provides details of the venues were information points will be located.

Table 3 – list of information point venues and opening hoursAspatria Local Link OfficeMarket Square, AspatriaCA7 3EZ


Community Office, Market Hall,Church Street, Wigton, CA7 9AA


Solway Coast Discovery Centre, Liddell Street, Silloth, CA7 4DD


Carlisle Library11 Globe LaneCarlisleCA3 8NX


Barrow LibraryRamsden SquareBarrow-in-FurnessCumbria, LA 14 1LL

[insert details of opening hours and tel. number

Cleator Moor Library, Market Square, Cleator Moor, Cumbria, CA25 5AP


Roose Library91-93 Roose RoadBarrow-in-FurnessCumbria, LA13 9RJ


Distington Library, Community Centre, Church Road, Distington, Cumbria CA14 5TE


Dalton LibraryNelson StreetBarrow-in-FurnessCumbria, LA15 8AF


Egremont Library, Main Street, Egremont, Cumbria, CA22 2DQ


Walney LibraryCentral DriveBarrow-in-FurnessCumbria, LA14 3HY


Frizington Library, Main Street, Frizington, Cumbria, CA26 2DH


Askam LibraryLord StreetAskam-in-FurnessCumbria, LA16 7AQ


Gosforth Library, Public Hall, Gosforth, Cumbria, CA20 1AS


Barrow Island Library19 Ramsden Dock RoadBarrow-in-FurnessCumbria, LA14 2TP


Seascale Library, Gosforth Road, Seascale, Cumbria, CA20 1PN


St Bees Library, St Bees Village School,

Thornhill Library, Thornhill School,

Main Street, St Bees, Cumbria, CA27 0AA


Ehen Road, Thornhill, Egremont, Cumbria, CA22 2SJ


Lancaster LibraryMarket SquareLancaster, LA1 1HY


Morecambe LibraryCentral DriveMorecambe, Lancs LA4 5DL[insert details of opening hours and tel. number

Ulverston Library Head Librarian Kings Road Ulverston Cumbria, LA12 OBT


Carnforth LibraryLancaster RoadCarnforth, Lancs LA5 9DZ


Heysham Library396-398 Heysham Rd. HeyshamMorecambe, LA3 2BJ


Halton LibraryPenny Stone RoadHalton, LancasterLA2 6QE


Kendal Library Head Librarian Stricklandgate Kendal Cumbria, LA9 4PY

Arnside Library Head Librarian Pier Lane Arnside Cumbria, LA5 ODA

Milnthorpe Library Head Librarian 19 The Square Milnthorpe Cumbria, LA7 7QJ


Kirkby Lonsdale Library Head Librarian Chapel Lane Kirkby Lonsdale Cumbria, LA6 2AY


Grange-over-Sands Library Grange Fell Road Grange-over-Sands Cumbria, LA7 6BG


Media/advertising

2.5.18 To promote the Project and the consultation both within and beyond the consultation zone we will prepare and issue press releases:

i. at the start of the consultation period to provide an overview of the proposed application, why we are consulting, details of where more information about the Project is available including dates and locations of public exhibition events, as well as the deadline for feedback to be submitted;

ii. at intervals during the consultation period to maintain awareness about the consultation, and encourage people to take part;

iii. two weeks before the end of the consultation period encouraging people to have their say before the consultation closes; and

iv. when the consultation deadline has passed to provide a summary of participation and details of what happens next in the planning process.

2.5.19 We will also deliver a programme of advertising to promote the public exhibition events and information points to a wide audience, including people outside the consultation zone. We will place advertisements two weeks prior and two weeks following the launch of the consultation. Reminder advertisements will also appear throughout the consultation period up until two weeks before the end of the consultation. Table 4 provides a list of all the media outlets to which press releases will be sent and where advertisements will be placed.

Table 4 – list of media outlets where press releases will be sent and advertisements placedPress releases will be issued to10: Advertisements will be placed with: BBC Radio Cumbria (radio) Cumberland News97.4 Rock FM (radio) Lancaster GuardianAdvertiser (Cumbria) Morecambe VisitorAsian Image North West North West Evening MailAsian Lite West Cumberland Times and StarAsian News (online) Westmorland GazetteBailrigg FM (radio) Whitehaven NewsBarrow AdvertiserBBC Look North (television)BBC North West (television)BBC Radio Lancashire (radio)Blackpool ReporterCFM Radio (radio)Cumberland & Westmorland HeraldCumberland NewsCumbria 24 (online)Cumbria ExecutiveCumbria LifeCumbrian Gazette SeriesFleetwood Weekly NewsFuse FM (radio)Grange NowIn-Cumbria (online)ITV Granada (television)ITV Tyne Tees and Border (television)Keswick ReminderLakeland Radio – The Bay (radio)Lancashire AdvertiserLancashire Evening PostLancashire LifeLancaster GuardianLytham St. Annes ExpressMagic 999 (radio)Morecambe Visitormyvillage.com (online)

10 All media outlets detailed are print unless otherwise specified

News & Star (Carlisle)North West Business InsiderNorth West Evening MailNuclear ConnectRadio Wave 96.5 (radio)Real Radio (North West) (radio)South Lakes CitizenThe Cumberland NewsThe Gazette - BlackpoolThe Rabbit Patch (online)Thebusinessdesk.com (online)Times & StarWest GazetteWestmorland GazetteWhitehaven NewsWorkington Times & Star

Posters

2.5.20 Poster publicising consultation dates and event locations will also be produced and displayed at public exhibition event venues, local parish notice boards and other community venues within and surrounding the consultation zone.

Social Media

2.5.21 Information about the Project and the statutory consultation will be promoted through the Project twitter account (@NGNWCC).

Political Engagement

2.5.22 All parish councils and relevant local politicians will be kept informed about the Project and the consultation.

Meetings

2.5.23 In addition to public exhibition events (see 2.5.13) to which prescribed consultees and other bodies will be invited to attend at the start of the consultation; other dedicated meetings will be held with relevant stakeholders, for example, local authority members, MPs, local groups and landowners. Other prescribed consultees and landowners will be contacted further to arrange meetings prior to the application submission in 2017. We will consider invitations to, or requests for, meetings from any party on a case-by-case basis.

Information services

2.5.24 We will operate a dedicated Project enquiry line 0800 876 6990 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri), email ([email protected]) and freepost address (FREEPOST NG NWCC).

2.5.25 Requests for consultation/project information to meet specific requirements (such as Braille or foreign languages, or for those with literacy difficulties) will be considered on a case-by-case basis so we can establish how best to provide the information required.

mailto:[email protected]

3. Other consultations in the area

3.1 NuGen’s Stage One consultation for the Moorside project took place from May to July in 2015. The consultation focused on how to minimise the impact of the development on the local area. A second stage of consultation, known as the Stage Two Proposed Scheme Consultation, will present more detailed proposals and is due to start in May 2016. NuGen has stated it aims to submit an application for Development Consent in Spring 2017. Details of NuGen’s proposals and associated consultation will be available to view at: www.nugenconsultation.com

4. What will happen to your responses after Section 47 consultation?

4.1 It is a requirement under Section 49 of the PA 2008 and also good practice that we consider any relevant responses that we received to the consultation and take these into account as appropriate.

4.2 At the close of the consultation period, we will review and finalise our proposed application having regard to all the feedback we receive during the consultation. An acknowledgement that we have received feedback will be issued to all consultees who, in making a consultation submission through letter, email or completion of the Project feedback form (online or in writing), provide their name and address.

4.3 We will then produce a Consultation Report. This report will set out how the feedback to the Section 42/47 consultations has shaped and influenced our proposed application. The Consultation Report will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as part of the DCO application as required by Section 37(3)(c) of the PA 2008.

4.4 When the DCO application has been submitted to, and accepted by the Planning Inspectorate, we will advertise the application and make the submitted application documents available to the public. In these documents we would also produce a summary of the outputs from our earlier stages of non-statutory pre-application consultation and how these have shaped and influenced our proposals.

4.5 If, as a result of feedback, our proposals change to the extent that it is necessary to undertake further geographically targeted consultation, this would be carried out in accordance with the principles and methods set out in the SoCC.

Continuing Engagement

4.6 If, as a result of feedback, our proposals change to the extent that it is necessary to undertake further geographically targeted consultation we would carry this out in accordance with the methods and principles set out in the SoCC.

3.7 We will continue to update people on our proposals after the consultation has been undertaken and the DCO application submitted. Project updates will be sent to people who register for updates on the Project website and issued to those living in the consultation zone at appropriate milestones. If people, including those living within the consultation zone, want to receive Project updates via email they will need to register on the project website. We will also update our project website with the latest information.

http://www.nugenconsultation.com/

5. Contacting us

5.1 Our Project community relations team will be available to assist people in finding information about the Project and our consultation. The team can be contacted on the freephone number 0800 876 6990 (09.00-17.00 Monday to Friday). People can also email them at [email protected], or by writing to FREEPOST NG NWCC.

5.2 Feedback can also be submitted by email or in writing to the addresses detailed above.

ENDS

mailto:[email protected]

Appendix 2 Copeland BC Comments on National Grid Draft Statement of Common ground

Copeland Borough Council response to NWCC Draft Statement of Community Consultation and Draft Consultation Strategy

It is considered that the underlying approach indicated in the Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) and Consultation Strategy is fundamentally sound.

The document recognises the unique locational aspects of the North West Coast Connections Project and the consequent need to ensure bespoke arrangements are in place to ensure adequate consultation with the Copeland community: one of a group of local authorities hosting the project.

Draft Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) v.10 Section 1.3: The Planning ProcessThis section in general lacks clarity. It is suggested that there is a need here to reiterate that the SoCC is established to provide a strategy for the approach to consultation up to and including the submission of the DCO. It should note the intention to commence a consultation process in April 2016 over the proposals as they stand at this stage and how the SoCC will enable an agreed approach to consultation; understanding of the level of engagement; how that will be achieved and assessed and how responses will be collated.In terms of paragraph 1.3.7 it should be elaborated upon that this is additional specific consultation over environmental impacts sitting alongside the broader consultation on the emerging proposal which, will ultimately become the subject of the DCO application and it would be useful to see an example of the type of individuals and organisations that will be engaged with here along with a brief statement recognising the formal process for local authorities to comment on adequacy of consultation at the point of DCO application submission.

Section 1.4: Earlier stages of consultationA more robust definition should be provided relating to project definition at certain stages of the process. There will be a greater level of interest when specific details are known rather than the initial stage of consultation covering the broad corridors.With reference to paragraph 1.4.4 it would be useful to provide a clear distinction between statutory and non-statutory consultees otherwise we may be making an assumption that all readers of the document are familiar with the distinction. Section2.1: Purposes of the Consultation This information should be included earlier as per comment under section 1. And should also explain the level of detail and information contained in the consultation and how subsequent changes might be the subject of further consultation. Section 2.3: Who we will consultWith specific regard to paragraph 2.3.2 ‘consultation with under-represented groups’ it would be useful to see exactly how the under-represented groups have been engaged with.

During the NuGen stage 1 consultation NuGen were able to demonstrate that younger people where significantly under-represented in consultation responses. This might be acceptable if engagement took a specific form such as school visits in specific forums where young peoples’ views could be secured. At the moment the document simply lists those groups who are considered hard to reach. There is a lack of clarity over how exactly such groups will be accommodated and assurance that provision will be made to enable the greatest possible scope to engage in the process. The range of methods of consultation indicated should make reference to the scope for each method listed to support engagement with hard to reach groups.There should also be a more specific strategy for engaging with educational and training establishments with the area. It is considered critical for engagement with these elements of the community to ensure that the local supply chain and wider business sector, is fully aware of the development and the opportunities for growth which exist, and for educational establishments and those attending those establishments to understand the project and scope to secure and deliver a locally based and suitably skilled workforce for the project.

Section 2.4: What we will consult onThere is reference made to a list provided under paragraph 2.4.4 stating that copies of the PEI report will be available at the locations listed which is not listed however, this list may indeed refer to the list of deposit locations under paragraph 2.5.16 which, if this is the case, should be cross referenced with paragraph 2.4.4 for reasons of consistency. Section 2.5: How and when we will consultParagraph 2.5.2 refers to the deadline that all responses to the consultation must be received by. The SoCC should reflect the stages of the process which leads to the submission of the application for the DCO and whether there is further chance to engage or, alternatively, when the final chance for response is reached and no further representations can be taken into account. This should relate to the process through which the DCO will be considered.This section should also identify the intended days and times that exhibitions will run, once this has been agreed, and how this relates to engaging with hard to reach groups i.e. evenings and weekends for time poor working people and standards of venues for accessibility, as an example, should be established.Additionally, there appears to be no mention of a public consultation event being held or due to be held in Whitehaven Town Centre. NuGen have introduced a permanent Information Centre which has proved valuable in ensuring that those unable to attend one off events had an alternative means of accessing information. With reference to paragraph 2.5.16 where PPA feedback is sought regarding the availability of space to accommodate and display technical documents at public locations it would be the preference for Copeland Borough Council (CBC) to have a tethered laptop/tablet device on which the PEI can be viewed and which should be made available at both Whitehaven (Market Hall) and Millom (Library) sites to take the pressure off of front desk staff in having to use their own computers/a reception/public computer while they could be attending to another customer during the busy periods. The Consultation Strategy also asks for PPA feedback on the same matter which CBC would again suggest the same provisions are made (see paras 7.3.32 & 7.3.33). Again, paragraph 2.5.17 does not include Whitehaven in the list of information point venues and opening hours nor is it mentioned in the Consultation Strategy.

In terms of social media paragraph 2.5.21 pays reference to Twitter but not Facebook whereas the Consultation Strategy makes reference to both forms of social media. Both documents should have a consistent approach.

Section 3: Other consultations in the areaThis section appears weak given that this SoCC is influenced by consultation across the whole of Cumbria. No reference is made to the West Cumbria Mining consultation taken place recently in early November nor does it include CBC and Allerdale development plan consultations, issues relating to GDF or the NDA Strategy consultation.

Finally, the SoCC does not pay reference to the Consultation Strategy yet the Consultation Strategy pays reference to the SoCC.

Draft Consultation Strategy v.10

Section 4.2: Consultation & engagement to dateParagraph 4.2.9 introduces the PPA Adequacy of Consultation Group for the first time but provides no further information on what the group is until paragraph 5.8 ‘PPA Adequacy of Consultation Task Team’. It is suggested that paragraph 4.2.9 cross references itself with paragraph 5.8. Section 7.3 Consultation MethodsAs mentioned under Section 2.5: How and when we will consult for comments relating to the SoCC Whitehaven is not mentioned as a public exhibition event location.Furthermore, it is reiterated here that the preference is for Copeland Borough Council (CBC) to have a tethered laptop/tablet device on which the PEI can be viewed and which should be made available at both Whitehaven (Market Hall) and Millom (Library) sites to take the pressure off of front desk staff in having to use their own computers/a reception/public computer while they could be attending to another customer during the busy periods.

In general, there should be some analysis of the purpose of consultation in order to inform of the project and to enable input into the design process as well as to encourage wider stakeholder engagement i.e. potential local supply chain interest and awareness of potential labour force.

Documents

Consultation National Grid – North West Coast … of 132kV and a sufficient length is designated by the Planning Act 2008 (as amended) (PA 2008) as a nationally significant infrastructure