ATTENTION - IF YOU OPTED-IN TO THE TKUP PUBLIC INQUIRY

The DPEA has now issued a further instruction in relation to the TKUP Public Inquiry.

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐎𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐃-𝐈𝐍 𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐇 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒!

In addition to the original request to “opt in” to the hearings, the Note from the Reporters following the Pre-Inquiry Meeting states that all parties wishing to participate must confirm their intention 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍.

The Reporters say that parties must now notify the DPEA within 14 days of receiving the Note of the meeting if they intend to participate in any of the Hearing Sessions and, if so, in which they intend to participate. We have been told that this includes all kinds of sessions; Community and Technical.

𝐖𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥.

This is 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 chance to have 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 say. There will no cross-examination in any sort of adversarial situation. Simply 𝐘𝐎𝐔 talking about the concerns 𝐘𝐎𝐔 have about this project such as wildlife, flooding, roads, ancient trees, your business, your home … whatever matters to 𝐘𝐎𝐔!

This is a departure from normal PLI practice and we understand the frustration and irritation at having to go through a second “opt in” process. We are at a bit of a loss to explain it ourselves.

However, if you do not respond to this new request within 14 days, you risk exclusion from taking part in the relevant hearing sessions - even if you have already opted in. Of course, we would argue any exclusion, BUT to protect the strength and visibility of community representations, we strongly urge everyone who wishes to be heard at the TKUP Public Inquiry to:

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐏𝐄𝐀 𝐛𝐲 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:

* that you intend to participate in the hearing

* ⁠which specific hearing sessions you wish to take part in from those below

Community hearing 1 - 𝟏𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 in 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞

Community hearing 2 - 𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 in 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐲

Community hearing 3 - 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 in 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧

Community hearing 4 - 𝟏𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 in 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠

(𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓈 𝓎𝑒𝓉 𝓊𝓃𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌𝓃)

The short (polite!) email confirming your intention should be sent to:

𝐃𝐏𝐄𝐀-𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞-𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝟒𝟎𝟎𝐤𝐕𝐎𝐇𝐋@𝐠𝐨𝐯.𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐭

… AND COPIED TO

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐊𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐒𝟐@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 who are doing their best to coordinate opposition to this project.

Please keep a copy of your response for your records.

We’d appreciate you sharing this post widely within your networks so no one misses this second, critical step. The more of us who confirm our participation, the harder it is for community voices to be diluted in this process.

We get that this is bewildering and time-consuming. If it is a comfort, SSEN also have to do this along with more worrying questions they have been asked to answer!

Please contact us quickly at 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐊𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐒𝟐@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 if you have questions or concerns about this.

Thank you for your continuing support and patience. We are working very hard on preparations for the inquiry and will be back with more information as soon as we have it.

Please remember to copy us in.