The Electricity Generating Stations and Overhead Lines (Inquiries Procedure) (England and Wales) Rules 2007

Procedure for pre-inquiry and other meetings

9.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary of State shall hold one or more pre-inquiry meetings.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply where the Secretary of State considers that holding a pre-inquiry meeting would not result in the inquiry being conducted more efficiently and expeditiously, in which case paragraphs (3) to (8) do not apply.

(3) The pre-inquiry meeting (or, where there is more than one, the first pre-inquiry meeting) shall be held within twelve weeks of the date of the relevant notice.

(4) The Secretary of State shall give not less than three weeks’ written notice of the pre-inquiry meeting (or, where there is more than one, the first pre-inquiry meeting) to—

(a) any person entitled to appear at the inquiry; and

(b) any other person whose presence at the pre-inquiry meeting seems to him to be desirable.

(5) The Secretary of State may in writing require the applicant to take one or more of the following steps—

(a) not less than two weeks before the date fixed for the first pre-inquiry meeting to publish by local advertisement a notice of the pre-inquiry meeting;

(b) to send a notice of that pre-inquiry meeting to such persons or classes of persons as he may specify, within such period as he may specify;

(c) to post a notice of that pre-inquiry meeting in such places near to the land, and within such period, as he may specify.

(6) A notice of the pre-inquiry meeting published, sent or posted pursuant to paragraph (5) shall state—

(a) the fact that the application has been made, and the purpose of it, together with a description of the land to which it relates;

(b) a place in the locality where a copy of the application, and of the map referred to in it, can be inspected; and

(c) the place, date and time of the pre-inquiry meeting.

(7) The inspector—

(a) shall preside at each pre-inquiry meeting;

(b) shall determine the matters to be discussed and the procedure to be followed;

(c) may require any person present at the pre-inquiry meeting who, in his opinion, is behaving in a disruptive manner to leave; and

(d) may refuse to permit that person to return or to attend any further pre-inquiry meeting, or may permit him to return or attend only on such conditions as he may specify.

(8) If the Secretary of State requests any further information from the applicant, any qualifying planning authority, any qualifying objector or any other person at the pre-inquiry meeting, that person shall ensure that two copies, in the case of the applicant or any qualifying planning authority, or three copies in the case of any other person, of the information have been received by the Secretary of State within such period as he may specify; and the Secretary of State shall, as soon as practicable after receipt, circulate all information received by him under this paragraph.

(9) The inspector may at any time and for any purpose connected with the inquiry to which these Rules apply hold such other meetings as he considers necessary, and he shall arrange for such notice to be given of those meetings as appears to him necessary; and paragraph (7) shall apply to such meetings.