The application was submitted on 4 October 2013 and the decision to accept the application to proceed has been made in accordance with section 55 of the Planning Act 2008 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011).

The proposed project includes a 1500 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station and associated infrastructure.

When considering whether or not to accept an application for examination, the Secretary of State has regard to the application documents submitted, any adequacy of consultation representations received from local authorities, and the extent to which the developer has had regard to any guidance issued. Other matters relating to the application will be considered by the Examining Authority during the examination. Interested parties will have an opportunity to take part in that process and make representations if they wish.

The ‘Acceptance to proceed’ decision and a copy of the application can be viewed at the Knottingley Power Project page on the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website.

It is now for the applicant, Knottingley Power Limited, to publicise the fact that its application has been accepted to proceed to examination and invite people who are interested in the proposal to register with the Planning Inspectorate as an interested party by making a relevant representation.

Once the period to register has opened, people will be able to do so online at the Knottingley Power Project page and completing the ‘Registration and Relevant Representation form’. Alternatively, those without internet access may call the Planning Inspectorate, National Infrastructure Directorate helpline: 0303 444 5000 for a printed registration form.

Sir Michael Pitt, Chief Executive of The Planning Inspectorate, said:

“After careful consideration, on behalf of the Secretary of State we have decided that the application submitted by Knottingley Power Limited met the required tests set out in the legislation to be accepted for examination.

“The applicant must now decide when to publicise the fact that its application has been accepted to proceed to examination and announce when members of the public will be able to register with The Planning Inspectorate as an interested party in the application.”

Interested parties in an application can:

• Say what they agree or disagree with in the application and why;
• Comment on what other people have said in their representations;
• Attend a Preliminary Meeting and say how they think the application should be examined;
• Request that an open floor hearing is held; and
• Attend and request to speak at open floor or issue-specific hearings should one be held.

The Planning Inspectorate’s Advice Note 8.3, ‘How to register and become an interested party in an application’ is available on the Inspectorate’s website or a copy can be requested by calling 0303 444 5000.

Follow this application on twitter: @KnottingleyPP

Notes to editors:

1. Journalists requiring further information should contact the Planning
   Inspectorate Press Office, on: 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:
   pressoffice@pins.gsi.gov.uk.

2. From April 2012, the relevant Secretary of State became the decision maker on all national infrastructure applications for development consent. At the end of the examination of an application, which will still be completed within a maximum of six months, the Planning Inspectorate will have three months to make a recommendation to the relevant Secretary of State who will then have a further three months to reach their decision. The National Infrastructure Process

3. The Planning Inspectorate, National Infrastructure Programme of Projects details the proposals which are anticipated to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as applications in the coming months. It can be viewed at http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk.