Written question asked by Lord Marlesford (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Marland (Conservative) on Monday, 17 January 2011.

Energy: Electricity

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will extend the consultation period on the draft energy national policy statement to allow public consideration of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and KEMA report on the costs of building new high voltage transmission lines.

Answer: The IET report on costs of overhead transmission lines and undergrounding is a factual, independent review which will not be subject to public consultation because it will be published as an expert report. The department will accept it as an authoritative report and we will reference it in the energy national policy statements. In these circumstances we do not consider that extending the NPS consultation (and therefore delaying approval of the NPSs) is necessary or warranted.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5773; 724 c3WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Costs Energy Electric cables Planning Public consultation National policy statements
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk