RE: LATEST RNS21 May 2024 03:05
@LB - Thanks for the update. Nice to hear you're on holiday - that's given us all a boost here back in Blighty.
From your description of the PC meeting, it's as suspected. Apathy, the hallmark of the British public, wins hands down again. The general public will not, are not opposing this application. As for the PC itself, they can (and unfortunately it looks likely they will) try to delay proceedings, but that's it. That's all they have.
The large last minute document dump to the PC from the EA is an insight into the fumbling inefficiency which seems to occasionally plague the EA particularly during public consultations, which inadvertently result in further delays. And if you have a jaundiced eye, as I do, you could be forgiven for seeing this last minute doc-dump as an invitation by the EA to the PC to extend.
Conspiracy theories aside, my take-away from all this is that neither the PC nor the EA want to approve the project, as they'll both be in the hot seat if the deafening clanking starts up again, but neither body can oppose this application on technical grounds as the case made by the TW Team is so very strong. That's why we're seeing these delays - they're firing blanks.
My best guess would be, in the worst case we'll see a further 8 week extension requested by the PC reluctantly agreed to by the EA and after fierce negotiations reducing to 4 weeks (- e/o June); then a 4 week review by the EA (- e/o July); and then finally, over two and half years later than it could have been, the EA will through gritted teeth, issue that MPF permit.
Two other points to note:
TW: They must review that permit before accepting. In a comment by NG at one of those PC meetings he stated that "a permit that’s not workable is not a permit". So the permit must be reviewed as the EA could try and pull a fast one even at the very end.
CLN Holders: I think these guys are solidly behind the project. If TW need more money, and they likely will before Jan 31 2025, Tranche E will be forth coming. I'm guessing another £1M will be needed and requested (circa 08/2024), but be aware that this would be asked for in any event. Tranche E is no drama, the drama will come only from further delays. They (the EA and the PC) have one extension left, if they choose to use it, then it's done.
ATB