Member

The proposed new clause in Amendment 185, tabled by the noble Baroness, Lady Coffey, seeks that Members of Parliament should be treated as category 1 persons under Section 102B of the Planning Act, thus automatically being treated as interested parties. We all recognise the vital role that Members of Parliament play in representing their constituents and engaging with nationally significant infrastructure projects. Their involvement in the DCO process is both welcome and encouraged. However, I would like to clarify the existing provisions for becoming an interested party. Under current legislation, any individual or organisation, including Members of Parliament, may submit a relevant representation during the designated period and thus become an interested party and have formal status in the examination process, allowing them to attend hearings, respond to Written Questions, and raise concerns about the impact of the project.