Instance of Article 6(1)(b) in England and Wales: small electric lines Sixth meeting of the Task Force on Public Participation in Decision-making under the Aarhus Convention 10-11 February 2016
To outline some examples for public participation in wider projects Electric lines considerations
Legislative examples Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011, for Town and Country Planning Act 1990 projects. Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000, for projects covered by Electricity Act 1989. Examples of projects: small and/or low voltage lines.
Smaller electric lines Application for consent under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989. Essentially: (a) an electric line of less than 132kV nominal capacity; (b) an electric line of any voltage that is less than 2 kilometres in length. Secretary of State may consider an application for a screening opinion. Factors include: nature; size; location; whether passing through a protected site (including those not as a result of EU legislation). Secretary of State will seek the views of the relevant local planning authority. If an EIA development, then requirements on publication and consultation, and also publication of any additional relevant information obtained after submission of the application under Regulations.