IPC's first decision approves energy plant
A power station that will create electricity by burning waste is the first development project to receive approval from the UK's Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC)
The IPC’s decision to grant planning permission for the energy-from-waste plant in Bedfordshire marks a milestone for the commission that was set up in October 2009 to process applications for nationally important infrastructure.
The commission was created under the Planning Act 2008 and is currently responsible for assessing applications for major energy, transport, waste and waste water developments in England as well as energy and harbour infrastructure projects in Wales, and for recommending whether such plans should be given permission to go ahead.
The 65MW electricity plant to be built by Covanta is the first such development to receive consent from a panel of three commissioners after a detailed 13-month examination of the proposed plans.
In announcing the decision, the chair of the IPC Sir Michael Pitt confirmed that the IPC had completed its first decision within the timescales laid out in the Planning Act.
Reacting to the news energy minister Charles Hendry said: “I am very pleased that the IPC’s first decision has been delivered on time.
“It is vital for investors and for local communities that when it comes to major energy projects, we have a planning process that people can have confidence in.”
The decision and all the written evidence considered by the IPC, including the environmental statement and the environmental impact assessment, together with the advice given by the commission, can be viewed on the IPC website.
Last year the government announced that the IPC would be abolished, with its responsibilities transferring to the Planning Inspectorate in April 2012, where its operations will continue under a newly-formed major infrastructure unit.