To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) decision-making process and (b) likely time scale is for the public inquiry into the onshore grid connection at Cleve Hill for the Thames Array. (106863)

Following refusal of their planning application by Swale borough council on 3 July 2006, London Array Ltd. lodged an appeal in September 2006. This appeal has been recovered for decision by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. The public inquiry has been timetabled for 6 March 2007 and is forecasted to last for two weeks. Following the close of the public inquiry, a statutory target for issuing the final decision will be set.