The Planning Inspectorate has announced that the application from QPI Global Ventures Ltd for the proposed South Hook combined heat power station (CHP) has been accepted, by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, for examination.

The proposed CHP plant will have an installed capacity of up to 500MWe and produce sufficient electricity to both meet the existing Liquefied Natural Gas terminal's power needs and to export surplus electricity.

The application was submitted on May 31 and the decision to accept the application to proceed has been made in accordance with section 55 of the Planning Act 2008 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011).

When considering whether or not to accept an application for examination, the Secretary of State has regard to the application documents submitted, any adequacy of consultation representations received from local authorities, and the extent to which the developer has had regard to any guidance issued. Other matters relating to the application will be considered by the Examining Authority during the examination and interested parties will have an opportunity to take part in that process and make representations if they wish.

The acceptance decision and a copy of the application can be viewed at the South Hook Combined Heat and Power Station project page on the Planning Inspectorate, National Infrastructure website. http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/wales/south-hook-combined-heat-power-station/">http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/wales/south-hook-combined-heat-power-station/

It is now for the applicant, QPI Global Ventures Ltd, to publicise the fact that its application has been accepted to proceed to examination and invite people who are interested in the proposal to register with the Planning Inspectorate as an interested party by making a relevant representation.

Once the period for registering as an Interested Party to make relevant representations has opened, people will be able to register with the Planning Inspectorate easily online by visiting the project's page http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/wales/south-hook-combined-heat-power-station/">http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/wales/south-hook-combined-heat-power-station/ and completing the online 'Registration and Relevant Representation form'. Alternatively, those without internet access may call the Planning Inspectorate, National Infrastructure helpline: 0303 444 5000 for a printed registration form.

Interested parties in an application can:

• Say what they agree or disagree with in the application and why

• Comment on what other people have said in their representations

• Attend a Preliminary Meeting and say how they think the application should be examined

• Request that an open floor hearing is held

• Attend and request to speak at open floor or issue-specific hearings should one be held.

The Planning Inspectorate's Advice Note 8.3, 'How to register and become an interested party in an application' is available on the Inspectorate's website http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/infrastructure">www.planningportal.gov.uk/infrastructure or a copy can be requested by calling 0303 444 5000.