Agenda item

To submit the report of the Director of Sustainability.

The Chair welcomed the Officers from the Planning Department and Mr. Peter Hulson from ARUP Consultants to the meeting.

The Chief Planning Officer reported that Section 42 of the Planning Act 2008 requires the ‘promoter’ of a NSIP (being the National Grid in this instance) to undertake pre-application consultation with a prescribed list of bodies, local authorities and those with an interest in the land affected by the project before making an application for a Development Consent Order. National Grid’s current time table envisages that this statutory process of consultation and engagement will take place in late 2016.

The consultation material which is currently before the Authority and which forms part of National Grid’s Stage 2 consultation, which is non-statutory in nature, together with the consultation material for the undergrounding of the Menai Straits which is scheduled to be released during Spring-Summer 2016 is aimed at informing and influencing this process. Notwithstanding the non-statutory nature of National Grid’s latest consultation, the gravity and importance of which is under consideration for the Island and its residents cannot be overemphasised and it is against this backcloth that the Authority has framed a response which is as comprehensively detailed and robust such as that which is issued by the Authority as part of its engagement in formal consultation procedures.

It was noted that the National Grid’s non-statutory second stage consultation for the

construction of a second 400kv high voltage electricity transmission line and pylons across Anglesey commenced on the 21st October, 2015 and will run for a period of 8 weeks until the 16th December, 2015. Formal response documentation by the Authority was attached to the report. The Authority’s response has resulted in a detailed and comprehensive analysis of National Grid’s submission being carried out which has resulted in some 345 separate comments.

The Major Consents Officer listed the key themes identified within the second stage

consultation and gave a detailed analysis of the issues raised within each of these key themes to the County Council :-

· Prematurity and Deficiencies

· Socio-Economic

· Jobs and Supply Chain Opportunities

· Welsh Language

· Health Impact Assessment

· Cumulative impacts

· Mitigation

· Costs

It was noted that a number of comments, clarifications and requests for further information have been set out within the documentation in order that the National Grid may address the points raised where necessary and rectify deficiencies where identified.

Mr. Peter Hulson, ARUP stated that they share the Authority’s concerns relating to the project definition, clarity on consenting strategy and provision of adequate community and wider stakeholder engagement on mitigation and control measures. National Grid must set out how the crossing of the Menai Straits will be consulted upon including proposed construction techniques and mitigation. Sufficient time need to be given to the local authority for adequate discussion in respect of planning requirements and measures of control together with wider compensation measures under planning obligations.

He further stated that wider detail and commitments are sought on construction programme i.e. Environmental Management, Biodiversity, Noise and Vibration, Health, Traffic and Public Rights of Way. National Grid is committed to ‘back-checking’ to constantly evaluate their proposals as well as evidence underpinning feasibility of full undergrounding between Wylfa and Pentir. National Grid should also consider wider opportunities to commit to reducing effects from current 400kV infrastructure alongside the proposed scheme.

Members of the full Council were unanimously that no additional electricity transmission lines and pylons, as previously stated, are to be constructed across the Island and the Menai Straits. It was stated that the National Grid should take the cables underground to connect the planned nuclear power station at Wylfa Newydd to the electricity network.

Members further stated that the National Grid should remove the ‘Energy Island’ logo from public documentation.

RESOLVED

·      That the Authority maintains its previously established position as of December 2012 in that no additional electricity transmission lines and pylons are constructed across the Island and the Menai Straits;

·      That issues and concerns identified within this Consultation are addressed

Within the main body of the report and National Grid shall have due regard to these as part of this non-statutory consultation;

·           That the National Grid should remove ‘Energy Island’ logo from all public documentation regarding the North Wales Connection Project.