The Electricity (Necessary Wayleaves and Felling and Lopping of Trees) (Hearing Procedures) (England and Wales) Rules 2013

Statements of evidence

11.—(1) Each party may submit a statement of evidence to the inspector.

(2) The inspector may disregard any statement of evidence received—

(a) where a pre-hearing meeting has been held, after the date notified under rule 10(12)(b);

(b) where a pre-hearing meeting has not been held, after the 10th working day before the date of the oral hearing.

(3) Where a party submits a statement of evidence to the inspector, the party must at the same time send a copy of the statement of evidence to each other party and to the Secretary of State.

(4) The applicant’s statement of evidence must—

(a) in the case of an application made under paragraph 6(3) of Schedule 4 to the 1989 Act—

(i) describe the location of the proposed or existing electric line by reference to a map; and

(ii) state why the applicant considers that it is necessary or expedient for the applicant to install and keep installed (or to keep installed, as the case may be) the electric line on, under or over the relevant land and the reasons why it would be appropriate for the Secretary of State to grant a necessary wayleave; or

(b) in the case of a reference made under paragraph 9(5) of Schedule 4 to the 1989 Act—

(i) describe the location of the electric line and the trees to be felled or lopped by reference to a map; and

(ii) state why the applicant considers that it would be appropriate for the Secretary of State to make an order for the felling or lopping of such trees.

(5) Where the inspector decides to disregard any statement of evidence under paragraph (2), the inspector must give notice to each party and to the Secretary of State that the statement of evidence is to be disregarded.