(This note is not part of the Rules)
These Rules amend the electricity Generating Stations and Overhead Lines (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1990 and the Pipe-lines (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1995. The amendments are principally consequential on the establishment of National Park authorities by virtue of the National Park Authorities (Wales) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/2803) and the National Park Authorities (England) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1243). By virtue of these Orders, the former National Park Committees were replaced by the National Park authorities with effect from 1st April 1996 in Wales, and are similarly replaced, together with the Lake District Special Planning Board and the Peak Park Joint Planning Board, with effect from 1st April 1997 in England. These Rules amend references to these planning authorities appropriately. In relation to Wales, these Rules also insert a reference to county borough councils, which were established by the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994, and make amendments in relation to joint planning boards consequential on provisions made in that Act in relation to such boards.