Informal
and formal consultation should underpin every stage of a development and may be
handled either by the developer or by a hydro professional. Consultation will be tailored to each
individual development. Some sites,
for instance, may not be located on fishing rivers and therefore consultation
with fisheries bodies or angling clubs would be limited. Similarly, where a site does not require
planning permission, there is no need for detailed consultation with the
relevant planning authorities.
The
bodies listed in the table below should be approached, as appropriate, at the
outset of a development, and contact should be maintained throughout. Full consultation will ensure that any
problems are identified at an early stage, and this may prevent the incurring of
unnecessary expenditure.
|
Body to
be consulted |
Purpose
of Consultation |
|
The
Environment Agency (England and Wales)
Scottish
Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)
|
To ensure
that the site is acceptable
To
establish a design that is acceptable
To
identify the permissions required
To
discuss and agree an acceptable river operating regime (i.e. amount and timing
of abstractions)
|
|
Relevant
planning authority |
To ensure
that the site is acceptable
To
establish a design that is acceptable, especially where construction work is
needed
To
identify permissions required
|
|
Fisheries
bodies or those with an interest in fisheries (e.g. angling clubs).
Scotland: the District Salmon
Fisheries Board |
To
address possible concerns at the design stage |
|
Statutory
environmental bodies e.g. English nature and the Countryside Commission;
Scottish Natural Heritage |
To
address potential environmental impacts at the design
stage |
|
Landowners |
To
address ownership, access and leasing issues, way-leaves for
cables
To
address possible objections to development
|
|
Regional
Electricity Company (REC) |
If an
electricity connection is required, to establish any design constraints and
connection costs
If
appropriate, to enter negotiations for electricity
sale |
|
