All project updates
12 Tachwedd 2024
On 12 November 2024 the Secretary of State issued a Correction Notice (PDF, 92KB) and Correction Order (PDF, 80KB) to make corrections to the Sunnica Energy Farm Order 2024, to come into force on the 13 November 2024.
Please note that the version of the Correction Notice published earlier today included an incorrect date. This has now been corrected.
9 Awst 2024
A statement confirming that the Secretary of State decided to extend the statutory deadline for this project to 22 July 2024 was made to the House of Commons and House of Lords, in accordance with section 107(7) of the Planning Act 2008.
12 Gorffennaf 2024
The Secretary of State has today granted development consent for this application.
As detailed in the Decision Letter, immediately after the General Election when the new Secretary of State took office, the Secretary of State extended the statutory date for this application as the previous deadline fell within the pre-election period when no Development Consent Order decisions were taken. A Written Ministerial Statement to announce this extension in accordance with section 107(7) of the Planning Act will be made as soon as possible once Parliament is in session. The decision has now been taken by the Secretary of State within that new deadline.
For further information, please refer to the following decision documentation:
Planning Inspectorate's notification of decision letter (PDF, 140KB)
Secretary of State for Energy Decision Letter (PDF, 694KB)
Development Consent Order as Made by the Secretary of State (PDF, 2MB)
Examining Authority's Recommendation Report (PDF, 3MB) and annexes (PDF, 4MB)
Regulation 31 Notice (PDF, 66KB)
Habitats Regulations Assessment (PDF, 1MB)
Post examination submissions (PDF, 238KB)
A notice of a change to the Examining Authority has also been published:
Notice of change to the Examining Authority (PDF, 56KB)
30 Mai 2024
On Saturday 25 May 2024 we entered a pre-election period, following the announcement that a General Election will be held on Thursday 4 July 2024.
During the pre-election period it is customary for Ministers to observe discretion in initiating any new action of a continuing or long term character. Consequently, no development consent decisions will be taken during this period.
We will provide a further update following the General Election.
3 Mai 2024
A statement confirming the new deadline for the decision has been made to Parliament, in accordance with section 107(7) of the Planning Act 2008.
9 Ebrill 2024
The Secretary of State has decided to re-set the statutory deadline for this application to 20 June 2024.
A statement confirming the new deadline for a decision will be made to the House of Commons and House of Lords in accordance with section 107(7) of the Planning Act as soon as possible once Parliament is in session.
7 Mawrth 2024
The Secretary of State has decided to re-set the statutory deadline for this application to 11 April 2024.
A statement confirming the new deadline for the decision has been made to Parliament, in accordance with section 107(7) of the Planning Act 2008.
8 Chwefror 2024
Please contact the Case Team if you have any queries about the change: sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
2 Chwefror 2024
15 Ionawr 2024
The Secretary of State has today invited Interested Parties to comment on the information provided in response to her letter of 14 December 2023 (PDF, 188 KB).
Comments should be submitted by email to sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk.
The Deadline for comments is 23:59 on 26 January 2024.
14 Rhagfyr 2023
12 Rhagfyr 2023
A Statement was made in Parliament confirming the resetting of the statutory decision deadline.
7 Rhagfyr 2023
A statement confirming the new deadline for a decision will be made to the House of Commons and House of Lords in accordance with section 107(7) of the Planning Act 2008 as soon as possible.
20 Medi 2023
A statement confirming the new deadline for the decision has been made to the House of Commons and House of Lords, in accordance with section 107(7) of the Planning Act 2008.
15 Medi 2023
13 Medi 2023
The Secretary of State has also invited Interested Parties to comment on the information provided in response to his information request of 23 August 2023 (PDF, 177KB). Comments should be submitted by email to sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
The Deadline for comments is 23:59 on 13 September 2023
1 Medi 2023
The Deadline for comments is 23:59 on 13 September 2023.
The Secretary of State has also invited Interested Parties to comment on the information provided in response to his information request of 27 July 2023 (PDF, 144KB). Comments should be submitted by email to sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk.
The Deadline for comments is 23:59 on 11 September 2023
For the avoidance of doubt, the reference to the Health and Safety Regulations in the Secretary of State's letter of 27 July, is a reference to the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2015.
23 Awst 2023
The Secretary of State has also invited Interested Parties to comment on the information provided in response to his information request of 27 July 2023 (PDF, 144KB). Comments should be submitted by email to sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk The Deadline for comments is 23:59 on 11 September 2023
For the avoidance of doubt, the reference to the Health and Safety Regulations in the Secretary of State’s letter of 27 July, is a reference to the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2015.
14 Awst 2023
Comments should be submitted by email to sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
The Deadline for comments is 23:59 on 11 September 2023
For the avoidance of doubt, the reference to the Health and Safety Regulations in the Secretary of State’s letter of 27 July, is a reference to the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2015.
11 Awst 2023
28 Gorffennaf 2023
Letter from Say No To Sunnica sent to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 25 July 2023, including cover letter from Lucy Frazer MP and Matt Hancock MP, and accompanying letter from Natural England (PDF, 2MB)
Plans 1-4 accompanying Say No To Sunnica's Letter of 25 July 2023 to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (PDF, 8MB)
The Secretary of State's Consultation Letter to the Applicant and Natural England (PDF, 144KB) was published and issued 27 July 2023.
27 Gorffennaf 2023
The deadline for response is 23:59 on 10 August 2023.
28 Mehefin 2023
31 Mawrth 2023
The Deadline 11 submissions have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1MB) has been updated.
29 Mawrth 2023
The Deadline 11 submissions will be published as soon as possible.
28 Mawrth 2023
The Examining Authority has used its discretion to accept Additional Submission from:
- Drug Development Solutions Limited, LGC Limited and LGC Bioresearch Limited (PDF, 126 KB)
- Environment Agency (PDF, 107 KB)
- National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) (PDF, 62 KB)
- National Gas Transmission (NGT) (PDF, 103 KB)
- Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (Network Rail) (PDF, 125 KB)
The Examination Library (PDF, 1MB) will be updated shortly.
The Examination is due to close at 23:59 on Tuesday 28 March 2023.
28 Mawrth 2023
23 Mawrth 2023
The Examining Authority has accepted at their discretion an Additional Submission from Cadent Gas Limited (PDF, 146KB) withdrawing their objection.
17 Mawrth 2023
15 Mawrth 2023
10 Mawrth 2023
- The Examining Authority's Schedule of Changes to the Applicant's draft DCO (PDF, 371 KB)
- A letter from the Examining Authority (PDF, 167 KB) requesting further information from the Applicant and amending the Examination Timetable
- An Additional Submission from South Staffordshire Water PLC (PDF, 366 KB) withdrawing their objection
The Examination Library (PDF, 941 KB) has been updated.
8 Mawrth 2023
The Examination Library (PDF, 263KB) has been updated.
22 Chwefror 2023
The following documents have been published:
- Action Points arising from the resumed Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (CAH1) (PDF, 91KB), Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (CAH2) (PDF, 89KB), Issue Specific Hearing 4 (ISH4) (PDF, 102KB).
- The recordings and transcripts from the resumed Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (CAH1), Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (CAH2), Issue Specific Hearing 4 (ISH4).
The Examination Library has been updated.
15 Chwefror 2023
Please note that the Hearings will start broadcasting LIVE once they open. If the livestream does not initially work it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage. If you have any issues with accessing the livestream please contact the Case Team: Sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk or 0303 444 5000
The Examining Authority has used its discretion to accept further Additional Submissions from the Applicant.
10 Chwefror 2023
Please note that the Hearings will start broadcasting LIVE once they open. If the livestream does not initially work it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage. If you have any issues with accessing the livestream please contact the Case Team: Sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk or 0303 444 5000
The Examining Authority has used its discretion to accept further Additional Submissions from the Applicant.
7 Chwefror 2023
- The Examining Authority’s detailed Agenda for Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (CAH2) (PDF, 124KB) and Issue Specific Hearing 4 (ISH4) (PDF, 167KB)
- A request for further information from the Applicant (PDF, 141KB)
The Examining Authority has used its discretion to accept Additional Submissions from the Applicant.
3 Chwefror 2023
The Examining Authority’s third Written Questions (PDF, 398 KB) The Deadline for responses is 3 March 2023.
The Examining Authority’s final itinerary (PDF, 133 KB) for the Accompanied Site Inspection 4 (ASI4) – Wednesday 15 February 2023.
The Examination Library (PDF, 263 KB) has been updated.
1 Chwefror 2023
- Deadline 6 submissions;
- A note of the Unaccompanied Site Inspection (PDF, 81KB) undertaken by the Examining Authority on 25 & 26 January 2023;
- A request for further information from the Applicant (PDF, 142KB).
The Examination Library will be updated shortly.
25 Ionawr 2023
17 Ionawr 2023
The Examining Authority has issued a letter (PDF, 189 KB) which amends the Examination Timetable (Rule 8(3)) and provides notification of the date time and place fixed for Hearings and an Accompanied Site Inspection in February 2023 (Rule 13 and 16).
The Examination Library (PDF, 691 KB) will be updated shortly.
4 Ionawr 2023
The Examination Library (PDF, 717KB) has been updated.
21 Rhagfyr 2022
15 Rhagfyr 2022
The following have been published:
- The recordings and transcripts from the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (CAH1), Open Floor Hearing 1 (OFH1), Issue Specific Hearing 2, Issue Specific Hearing 3 and Open Floor Hearing 2
- Action Points arising from Issue Specific Hearing (ISH2) on Environmental Matters (PDF, 137 KB) and Issue Specific Hearing 3 on Other Environmental Matters (PDF, 119KB)
The Examination Library has been updated
14 Rhagfyr 2022
The following have been published:
- The recordings and transcripts from the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (CAH1), Open Floor Hearing 1 (OFH1), Issue Specific Hearing 2 and Issue Specific Hearing 3
- Action Points arising from Issue Specific Hearing (ISH2) on Environmental Matters (PDF, 137 KB) and Issue Specific Hearing 3 on Other Environmental Matters (PDF, 119KB)
The recordings and transcripts from the Open Floor Hearing 2 (OFH2) will be published as soon as possible. We apologise for the delay to these.
The Examination Library will be updated shortly.
12 Rhagfyr 2022
The following have been published:
- The recordings and transcripts from the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (CAH1) and Open Floor Hearing (OFH1)
- Action Points arising from Issue Specific Hearing (ISH2) on Environmental Matters (PDF, 137 KB)
The Examination Library will be updated shortly.
9 Rhagfyr 2022
Please note that the Hearings will start broadcasting LIVE once they open. If the livestream does not initially work it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage. If you have any issues with accessing the livestream please contact the Case Team: Sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk or 0303 444 5000
Please note that the List of Speakers at Annex A of the Agenda for the Open Floor Hearings (OFH1 and OFH2) (PDF, 175 KB) was updated on Thursday 8 December 2022.
The Examining Authority has accepted Additional Submissions from Peter Goodyear on behalf of Fordham (Cambs) Walking Group, Natural England and Say No To Sunnica, and two late submissions for Deadline 2 from Say No To Sunnica.
2 Rhagfyr 2022
For those wishing to observe any of the Hearings in real time please use the following livestream link: https://vimeo.com/event/2685941/embed/8207fffe37
Please note that the Hearings will start broadcasting LIVE once they open. If the livestream does not initially work it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
If you have any issues with accessing the livestream please contact the Case Team: Sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk or 0303 444 5000
Please note that the List of Speakers at Annex A of the Agenda for the Open Floor Hearings (OFH1 and OFH2) (PDF, 175 KB) has been updated.
1 Rhagfyr 2022
The Deadline 3A Submissions have been published. If you have any queries about the publication of these submissions please contact the Case Team.
The Examination Library will be updated shortly.
23 Tachwedd 2022
The Examination Library (PDF, 507 KB) has been updated.
21 Tachwedd 2022
The Examination Library (PDF, 243 KB) has been updated.
16 Tachwedd 2022
The Examination Library will be updated shortly.
11 Tachwedd 2022
8 Tachwedd 2022
4 Tachwedd 2022
The Examination Library has been updated.
3 Tachwedd 2022
If you have any queries please contact the Case Team: sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
28 Hydref 2022
For those wishing to observe ISH1 in real time please use the following livestream link: https://vimeo.com/event/2523686/5246eec397
Please note that the Hearing will start broadcasting LIVE once it opens at 10:00. If the livestream does not initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
If you have any issues with accessing the livestream, please contact the Case Team: Sunnica@plannininginspectorate.gov.uk or 0303 444 5000.
25 Hydref 2022
The Examination Library (PDF, 660 KB) has been updated.
20 Hydref 2022
4 Hydref 2022
The Examining Authority’s Rule 8 letter (PDF, 344 KB), giving details of the Examination Timetable, Written Representations, Procedural Decisions, Notification of Hearing and Accompanied Site Inspections.
The Examining Authority’s Written Questions and requests for information (ExQ1)(PDF, 2 MB)
The recordings and transcripts of the resumed Preliminary Meeting on 28 September 2022.
The Examination Library will be updated in due course.
If you have any questions, please contact us: sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
4 Hydref 2022
Procedural decision following Preliminary Meeting.
30 Medi 2022
Please note that the PM will start broadcasting LIVE once it opens at 14:00. If the livestream does not initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
If you have any issues with accessing the livestream, please contact the Case Team: Sunnica@plannininginspectorate.gov.uk or 0303 444 5000.
28 Medi 2022
26 Medi 2022
Please note that the PM will start broadcasting LIVE once it opens at 14:00. If the livestream does not initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
If you have any issues with accessing the livestream, please contact the Case Team: Sunnica@plannininginspectorate.gov.uk or 0303 444 5000.
22 Medi 2022
16 Medi 2022
The Examination Library (PDF, 363KB) has been updated.
8 Medi 2022
31 Awst 2022
The Applicant’s Change Request and supporting documents have been published.
The Examination Library will be updated in due course.
12 Awst 2022
The Examining Authority’s notes of Unaccompanied Site Inspections on 27 and 28 July 2022 have also been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 349 KB ) has been updated.
10 Awst 2022
The Examining Authority’s notes of Unaccompanied Site Inspections on 27 and 28 July 2022 have also been published.
The Examination Library will be updated shortly.
1 Awst 2022
- Part 1 of the Recording of the Preliminary Meeting Tuesday 26 July 2022
- Part 2 of the Recording of the Preliminary Meeting Tuesday 26 July 2022
- Part 3 of the Recording of the Preliminary Meeting Tuesday 26 July 2022
- Transcript of Part 1 of the Preliminary Meeting Tuesday 26 July 2022 (PDF, 188 KB)
- Transcript of Part 2 of the Preliminary Meeting Tuesday 26 July 2022 (PDF, 106 KB)
- Transcript of Part 3 of the Preliminary Meeting Tuesday 26 July 2022 (PDF, 109 KB)
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by technical issues with the livestream during the event.
The Examining Authority has also received a request to become an Interested Party under s102A of the Planning Act 2008 from Jonathan Bower on behalf of Drug Development Solutions Limited, which they have accepted (PDF, 150KB).
28 Gorffennaf 2022
The Examination Library will be updated in due course.
26 Gorffennaf 2022
Please note that the PM will start broadcasting LIVE once it opens at 10:00am. If the livestream does not initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
If you have any issues with accessing the livestream please contact the Case Team: Sunnica@plannininginspectorate.gov.uk or 0303 444 5000.
The Examining Authority has used its discretion to accept Additional Submissions from the following:
- Sunnica Ltd - letters regarding; notification of hearings (AS-237), (PDF, 1.8MB) changes to the application (AS-238) (PDF, 179KB) and proposed timetable amendments (AS-239) (PDF, 1.4MB)
- HPUT A Limited and HPUT B Limited (AS-240) (PDF, 146KB)
- National Grid Gas Plc and National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc (AS-241)(PDF, 113KB)
26 Gorffennaf 2022
22 Gorffennaf 2022
If you have any questions, please contact us: sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
22 Gorffennaf 2022
15 Gorffennaf 2022
28 Mehefin 2022
The letter also includes the draft Examination Timetable and Initial Assessment of Principal Issues.
14 Mehefin 2022
7 Mehefin 2022
26 Mai 2022
- A letter from the Examining Authority to the Applicant (PDF, 152KB) in response to its correspondence regarding the intention to request changes to the application
- Correspondence from the Applicant (20 and 24 May 2022) (PDF, 450KB) - Method Statement consultation on proposed changes to DCO application
The Examination Library (PDF, 272KB) will be updated shortly.
25 Mai 2022
The Examining Authority’s notes of Unaccompanied Site Inspections on 24 and 25 April 2022 (PDF, 74KB) and 10 and 11 May 2022 (PDF, 59KB) have also been published.
4 Mai 2022
3 Mai 2022
A letter from the Examining Authority requesting comments along with a new deadline will be published and issued shortly. The Applicant’s response to the 22 April 2022 letter will also be published at the same time.
22 Ebrill 2022
The Examining Authority has written to the Applicant following their letters of 30 March 2022 and 19 April 2022 and is seeking a response from the Applicant by Thursday 28 April 2022.
The Examining Authority’s note of an Unaccompanied Site Inspection on 10th and 11th April 2022 has been published.
6 Ebrill 2022
The Examining Authority has used its discretion to accept Additional Submissions from the following:
- Sunnica Ltd - response to section 51 Advice
- The Coal Authority
- NATS Ltd, Safeguarding Office
- National Highways
- East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
The Examination Library (PDF, 264kb) will be updated shortly.
5 Ebrill 2022
18 Mawrth 2022
If you have received such a further notification from the Applicant, dated 24 February 2022, and wish to make a representation, please contact us at Sunnica@planninginspectorate.gov.uk or telephone 0303 444 5000.
17 Mawrth 2022
27 Ionawr 2022
16 Rhagfyr 2021
18 Tachwedd 2021
The application documents will be made available on the project page of this website if the application is accepted for examination.
It is for the Applicant to decide whether or not application documents can be published upon submission (see government’s Planning Act 2008: guidance on the Pre-application process).