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PLANNING ISSUES


LESSONS LEARNT


Evidence plans for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs)


FEATURE SPONSOR


• Roger Covey, Principal Adviser, Marine Sustainable Use, Natural England


EXPERIENCE – MANDY GLOYER Mandy Gloyer spoke from experience of the East Anglia ONE Offshore Windfarm, as well as East Anglia THREE and FOUR Offshore Windfarms where the Evidence Plan process is currently being trialled.


WITH A STRONG TRACK RECORD IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, DELIVERY AND COMPLIANCE FOR LARGE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, ROYAL HASKONINGDHV RECENTLY BROUGHT TOGETHER A PANEL OF EXPERTS, ALONG WITH AN AUDIENCE OF DEVELOPERS AND REGULATORS, TO DISCUSS DEFRA’S EVIDENCE PLAN PROCESS AND ITS IMPACT SO FAR.


NEW PROCESS


In September 2012 a new process was introduced to allow developers of NSIPs in England to agree Evidence Plans with relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies.


A commitment of the Habitats and Wild Birds Directives Implementation Review, the Evidence Plan is a formal mechanism to agree up-front what information the developer needs to supply to enable a Habitats Regulations Assessment as part of a Development Consent Order (DCO) application.


PROGRESS?


Since the introduction of the new process has the introduction of Evidence Plans led to a smoother, more effective DCO examination process? What are the key lessons learnt? And, are further improvements needed?


THE EXPERT PANEL • Sian John, Director, Energy and Infrastructure Consenting, Royal HaskoningDHV


• Mandy Gloyer, Policy Manager, Scottish Power


• Paolo Pizzolla, Senior Environmental Consultant, Energy and Infrastructure Consenting, Royal HaskoningDHV


92 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk


SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS


She believes Evidence Plans can offer significant benefits to the developer. “This is a voluntary process that is developer led and therefore allows flexibility. It provides an independent record and evidence trail of who said what.”


FOCUSING MINDS


The panel agreed that Evidence Plans focus the minds of all parties involved, including regulators and planning authorities, allowing for early identification and focus on the key critical issues.


“Not ground breaking but a useful and credible structure” is how Royal HaskoningDHV’s Paolo Pizzolla describes Evidence Plans. “This is a pragmatic and open approach to solving complex, technical issues. It allows you to be robust, but it is proportionate and relevant.”


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