New energy proposals generate interest

01/03/2010

Energy Minister Lord Hunt has welcomed the level of public engagement around the consultation on National Policy Statements on Energy.

The consultation, which closed at the end of February, gives the public the opportunity to influence and comment on the draft NPSs at a national and local level.

During the consultation period:

- More than 3,300 people attended 23 events in England and Wales to learn more about the draft energy NPSs and how they could respond to the consultation;
- Almost 20,000 people have visited the consultation website to find out more about what is being proposed; and
- More than 1,000 organisations and individuals have so far responded to the consultation online,
via email or in writing.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Minister of State for Energy said:

“We are undertaking fundamental reform of the planning system which will result in a more efficient, transparent and accessible process. National Policy Statements are a vital part of these reforms, setting out the national need for new energy infrastructure.

“Listening to people’s views and helping them find out more is vital to getting this process right. I’m pleased that so many people and organisations have taken part and given their views on how future decisions on where we locate power plants will be made.”

The National Policy Statements on Energy will inform decisions made by the new Infrastructure Planning Commission, an independent body which makes decisions on applications for nationally significant infrastructure projects, such as large wind farms and power stations.

Following the end of the consultation on the NPS’s, proposals will continue to undergo parliamentary scrutiny. The Government intends to respond to issues raised both in the consultation, and through parliamentary scrutiny, later this year.