ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the practice and procedures relevant to planning permissions and ministerial consents for electric lines. It examines how these planning permissions and ministerial consents complement necessary wayleaves granted on application to the Secretary of State. Under section 37 of the Act consent is required for all new overhead lines, with limited exceptions, such consent to be granted by the relevant minister before they can be constructed. This legislation follows the previously accepted practice that where work of public utilities, under a government department, requires a consent then the local planning authority is effectively consulted with the final decision resting with the local planning authority and the relevant Secretary of State. Under section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 any development of land requires planning permission. The application process requires the licence-holder to consult the local planning authority. This is carried out under the Department of the Environment Circular 14/90 which sets out the details.
