The Public Inquiry into our planning application was triggered when Cheshire West and Chester Council made a formal objection to the application. The Planning Inquiry will be heard under the Electricity Generating Stations and Overhead Lines (Inquiry Procedures) (England and Wales) Rules 2007.

Held before a planning inspector, the Inquiry will allow everyone with an interest to present their case both for and against the development. The inquiry will allow questions, within a structured framework, from those who give evidence to the Inquiry.

The costs of those participating in the Inquiry will be borne by the participants.

On 26 July there will be a pre-Inquiry meeting. The purpose of a Pre-inquiry Meeting (PIM) is to help the Inspector and all parties concerned with the Public Inquiry to prepare for the Inquiry itself, so as to enable the proceedings to be conducted as efficiently and effectively as possible. No discussion of the merits or otherwise of the proposals is permitted at a PIM. It is not the function of a PIM to consider matters, including evidence, which should appropriately be discussed at the Public Inquiry.

The Public Inquiry will begin 11 October and is being held at Northwich Victoria FC. It is open to members of the public who can come and observe proceedings. The Public Inquiry is expected to run for between four to six weeks.

Once the Public Inquiry concludes, the Planning Inspector will prepare a report for consideration by the DECC Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will make his decision within three months of receiving the report.