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Overhead Lines (Exempt Installations) Order 2010

I come to the question about why we are doing this in the way that we are. I say to the noble Lord, Lord Teverson, that it was always our intention that the exemptions under the Electricity Act should transfer to the IPC regime for electricity lines at 132 kilovolts and above. That was complicated by the Planning Act 2008 being passed before a final decision had been taken on the scope of the exemptions following the 2006 energy review. I agree with the substance of the noble Lord’s point. It would have been better if we could have done it together, but it proved impossible in practice. As to what the lines look like, they could be on wooden poles at just above the level that comes into the IPC process. Higher-voltage lines are likely to be on metal towers. Let me make it clear that this is not a way to open the door to new towers under the proposed exemption order. They would have to go through the full system. I hope that I have responded to the points raised. I commend the order to the Committee. Motion agreed.