Gaining consent for power projects requires applications to be prepared of the highest caliber.  I have led the preparation of planning and permitting documents for the development industry to promote their projects.  This has focused upon a thorough consideration of relevant policy and completion of relevant assessments to ensure that the impacts, both positive and negative, are appropriately reported. My approach is to develop a project that is deliverable once consented.  My experience incorporates appearing as Expert Witness at public inquiries, Examinations and Parliamentary Committee.

 

White Rose CCS Power Plant, Compact Power Ltd

ERM Ltd has worked with Compact Power Ltd preparing the environmental information necessary to accompany the DCO application for the White Rose CCS Power Plant at Drax, in North Yorkshire.  An element of that project was to prepare a development platform, raising land out of the floodplain and providing ancillary construction services.

I led preparation of the necessary application documents, contributed to consideration on use of the Town and Country Planning Act consenting process and advised on whether the materials to be used for the development platform should be considered a waste or a secondary aggregate.

 

Hinkley C Connection Project, National Grid

National Grid has submitted a DCO application to create a new 400kV transmission line from the Hinkley C new nuclear power station to the Seabank substation, in Severnside, South Gloucestershire.  A full socio-economic and land use impact assessment, including amenity assessment, was prepared as part of the Environmental Statement submitted.

Having previously advised the team preparing the socio-economic and land use assessment, I have subsequently become fully involved in this project.  My tasks include: responding to the Examining Authorities’ written questions; responding to Relevant and Written Representations; preparing technical notes for the wider team and Counsel; meeting with the local authorities and preparing the Statement of Common Ground; and appearing as witness at the Issue Specific Hearings.

 

Llandinam Windfarm Repowering Distribution, SPManweb

SP Manweb submitted an application under s.37 of the Electricity Act 1989 to construct and operate a new distribution line to link the re-powered Llandinam Wind Farm to the Welshpool substation.

I was retained to support SP Manweb through public inquiry, appearing as expert witness on matters of policy, planning and need.  I reviewed the case made within the planning application and updated it as required, addressing specific matters of Welsh policy and the relationship with the National Policy Statements.   My proof of evidence incorporated the consideration of alternatives (addressing the expectations of NPS EN-1) and factors particular to electricity network operators set out in the Electricity Act and the Holford Rules.

 

Energy from waste, various clients

I have worked on a number of energy from waste schemes, providing support through planning and public inquiries, but also through policy and strategy development.  Please refer to the Waste and Policy and Strategy tabs for more information.