Transboundary environmental public consultation for Wylfa Newydd nuclear power plant
25 January 2019 – Extension of consultation deadline for Transboundary Environmental consultation on proposed Wylfa Newydd nuclear power plant following Horizon Nuclear announcement last week
The consultation deadline for the transboundary environmental consultation on the proposed Wylfa Newydd nuclear power plant in the UK, from close of business today, 25 January to close of business on Friday 15 February 2019.
Following the announcement last week that Horizon Nuclear Power was suspending its UK nuclear development programme, including plans for the proposed Wylfa Neywdd plant in Anglesey, North Wales, the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government sought clarification from the UK Planning Inspectorate on the implications of the announcement for the transboundary environmental consultation with Ireland.
Notwithstanding the announcement by Horizon Nuclear Power, the UK Planning Inspectorate has confirmed that the development consent application (planning application) for the Wylfa Newydd plant has not been withdrawn by the applicant, and it will be continuing with its assessment of the application for the Wylfa Newydd plant as normal. Accordingly, the transboundary consultation between Ireland and the UK will continue with an extended deadline to afford additional time to those who wish to make a submission to do so at this important stage in the process.
Anyone intending to make a submission is asked to make them to this planning authority, on or before the new closing date - close of business on Friday 15 February 2019.
Transboundary Environmental Public Consultation Planning Application for proposed Wylfa Newydd Nuclear Power Plant, Anglesey, North Wales, United Kingdom
In accordance with the provisions of the 1991 United Nations Convention on environmental impact in a transboundary context (the Espoo Convention) and the EU Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (the EIA Directive), the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has received notice from the UK’s Planning Inspectorate (PINS) in relation to the development consent application (planning application) by Horizon Nuclear Power for the proposed Wylfa Newydd Nuclear Power Plant, in Anglesey, North Wales, United Kingdom. The proposed development principally comprises a proposed new nuclear electricity generating station on the north coast of Anglesey, North Wales with a projected electrical output of approximately 3.1 gigwatts. The proposed development would also include permanent and temporary works in the marine environment; off-site power station facilities, including a control centre, laboratory and emergency equipment garage; and associated off-site development comprising a worker accommodation campus, temporary park and ride facility, construction logistics centre and highway improvements.
The proposed development is subject to an environmental impact assessment procedure and the UK’s PINS has identified that the proposed development has potential transboundary effects on the environment in Ireland. Accordingly, the UK’s PINS has invited Ireland to undertake a transboundary consultation in respect of environmental information relating to the proposed development. The UK’s PINS is currently examining the development consent application for the proposed development. The UK’s PINS will submit a report on the application, including a recommendation to grant or refuse development consent, to the UK’s Secretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, who will make the decision on whether to grant or refuse development consent.
A member of the public may make a written submission or observations in relation to the potential transboundary environmental effects of the project, by sending them to his or her local planning authority, to be received by close of business on Friday 25 January 2019 at the latest. Submissions or observations should not be made to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
Contact details for each planning authority are set out in the public consultation notice, which is available to view in the public consultation section of the website of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government at www.housing.gov.ie , together with the correspondence from the UK’s PINS, digital copies of extracts from the applicant’s Environmental Statement; associated documents and links provided by the UK’s PINS to the full Environmental Statement and all other documentation relating to the development consent application for the proposed development.
The public consultation notice is also available to view in the office of the Planning Section of each planning authority nationwide during office hours together with a printed copy of the correspondence from the UK’s PINS inviting Ireland to undertake a transboundary consultation under the Espoo Convention and the EIA Directive; extracts from the applicant’s Environmental Statement and associated documents that appear to be most relevant for the purpose of the consultation. A copy of these documents is available for inspection, or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, during office hours at the office of each planning authority nationwide.
All documentation related to the development consent application for the proposed development, including additional or amending documentation accepted at the discretion of the UK’s PINS, is also available to view on the website of the UK’s PINs, including any additional information accepted by the UK’s PINS at:
https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/wales/wylfa-newydd-nuclear-power-station/
In the interests of transparency, it should be noted that, following consultation with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, each planning authority will forward to the UK’s PINS all submissions or observations it receives through this public consultation, and may also forward a summary of the submissions or observations. Submissions or observations received, or a summary of same, may be published on the website of the planning authority concerned or on a website of the UK’s PINS. The DHPLG will not publish any submissions or observations or summary of same.
Link to Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government page:
Making submissions or observations
A submission or observations in relation to the potential transboundary environmental effects of the development may be made in writing or by e-mail to the Planning Section in the planning authority for the area in which the person lives or the head office of the body concerned is located.
You can make a submission:
- by e-mail to transboundary@kilkennycoco.ie or
- in writing to the Planning Department, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny
All submissions or observations must—
- be titled “Transboundary environmental public consultation – Wylfa Newydd Nuclear Power Plant”,
- include the name and address of the person, authority or body making the submission or observations and the name of the person, if any, acting on behalf of that person, authority or body, and;
- include reasons, considerations and arguments on which the submission or observations is based.