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All project updates

16 April 2024

Responses to the Secretary of State's consultation letter dated 2 April 2024 have been published.

View the responses.

2 April 2024

The Secretary of State issued a consultation letter requesting comments from all Interested Parties by 15 April 2024

View the request (PDF, 141kb)

Contact the case team if you have any questions regarding the process - MallardPassSolar@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

28 March 2024

The responses to the Secretary of State's consultation dated 14 March 2024 have been published.

14 March 2024

The Secretary of State has issued a consultation letter (PDF, 174KB) requesting information from the Applicant, Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (“Network Rail”), Rutland County Council (“RCC”), Lincolnshire County Council (“LCC”) by 27 March 2024.

16 February 2024

The Examining Authority recommendation has been sent to the Secretary of State.

16 February 2024

Recommendations given by the Planning Inspectorate

21 November 2023

The Deadline 10 Submissions have been published

The Examining Authority's notification of the completion of the Examination (PDF, 132KB) was published on 17 November 2023.

The Examination Library (PDF, 796KB) will be updated shortly.

20 November 2023

The Examining Authority’s notification of the completion of the Examination (PDF, 132KB) has been published.

The Deadline 10 Submissions shall be published as soon as practicable.

The Examination Library (PDF, 796KB) has been updated.

16 November 2023

Due to a technical error an email was sent out earlier saying the Mallard Pass Solar Project Examination has closed.

Please note that the Examination closes at 23:59 16 November 2023.

14 November 2023

The Deadline 9 Submissions have been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 759 KB) will be updated shortly.

7 November 2023

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (PDF, 360KB) withdrawing its submissions in respect of the DCO application.

6 November 2023

The Deadline 8A submissions and the Examination Authority’s note of its Unaccompanied Site Inspection (PDF, 101KB)  undertaken 18 – 20 October 2023 have been published.

The Examination Authority has requested further information (PDF, 196KB)  from The Applicant, Lincolnshire County Council, Rutland County Council, Natural England, Environment Agency and Upper Witham Internal Drainage Board

The Exam Library (PDF, 761KB) will be updated shortly.

27 October 2023

The Deadline 8 Submissions have been published.

The Examination Library will be updated shortly.

18 October 2023

The Examining authority’s issue of:

Request for further information (PDF, 171KB) from The Applicant, Lincolnshire County Council, Rutland County Council, South Kesteven District Council, National Grid Electricity Transmission, Natural England and the Environment Agency.

The Examining Authority's commentary and questions on the draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 219KB)

The Examination Library PDF, 728KB) has been updated.

13 October 2023

The Deadline 7 Submissions have been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 678KB) will be updated shortly.

3 October 2023

The recordings and transcripts of Issue Specific Hearing 5 held on 28 September 2023 have been published.

The Action Points from Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 and Issue Specific Hearings 4 & 5 (PDF, 159KB) have been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 677 KB) will be updated shortly.

28 September 2023

The recordings and transcripts of Issue Specific Hearing 4 held on 27 September 2023 have been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 665KB) will be updated shortly.

28 September 2023

The recordings and transcripts of Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 and Issue Specific Hearing 4 both held on 26 September 2023 have been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 665KB) has been updated.

The Agenda for Issue Specific Hearing 5 (ISH5) (PDF, 189KB) have been published.

For those wishing to observe any of the ISH5 in real time please use the following livestream link: https://cvslivestream.co.uk/mallardpass/ 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: MallardPassSolar@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

27 September 2023

The recordings and transcripts of Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 and Issue Specific Hearing 4 both held on 26 September 2023 have been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 661KB) will be updated shortly.

25 September 2023

Instructions for those who have registered to speak (either in person at the venue or virtually via MS Teams) at Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2, Issue Specific Hearing 4 and/or Issue Specific Hearing 5 in w/c 25 September 2023 have been sent. If you no longer wish to speak at the Hearings please let the Case Team know.

The Agendas for Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (PDF, 139KB), Issue Specific Hearing 4 (PDF, 138KB) and Issue Specific Hearing 5 (PDF, 189KB) have been published.

For those wishing to observe any of the Hearings in real time please use the following livestream link: https://cvslivestream.co.uk/mallardpass/ 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: MallardPassSolar@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

21 September 2023

The Deadline 6 Submissions have been published, including Tony Orvis withdrawal of Deadline 5 submission (PDF, 97KB)

The examination library (PDF, 662KB) has been updated.

19 September 2023

The Agendas for Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (PDF, 139KB), Issue Specific Hearing 4 (PDF, 138KB) and Issue Specific Hearing 5 (PDF, 189KB) have been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 1MB) has been updated.

7 September 2023

31 August 2023

The Applicant's Notice for hearings (PDF, 74KB) for the week commencing 25 September 2023 has been published.

To take part in the hearings, please register by using this form by 23:59 on Monday 18 September 2023.

The Examination Library (PDF, 589KB) has been updated.

23 August 2023

The Examining Authority’s (ExA) Rule 13 letter (PDF, 166KB), providing information regarding the notification of hearings w/c 25 September 2023 has been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 573KB) has been updated.

15 August 2023

The Examining Authority's Second Written Questions (PDF, 675KB) has been published. The Deadline for responses is 5 September 2023 (Deadline 5).

The Examination Library (PDF, 586KB) has been updated.

28 July 2023

The Deadline 4 submissions have been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 523KB) will be updated shortly.

19 July 2023

The Examining Authority’s (ExA) Rule 16 letter (PDF, 186KB) providing notification of an Accompanied Site Inspection on 17 and 18 August 2023 has been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 523KB) has been updated.

18 July 2023

The recordings and transcripts of Issue Specific Hearing 1 (ISH1), 2 (ISH2), 3 (ISH3) and Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (CAH1) have been published.
The Action Points from ISH1, ISH2, ISH3 and CAH1 (PDF, 162KB) have been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 501KB) will be updated shortly.

7 July 2023

Instructions for those who have registered to speak (either in person at the venue or virtually via MS Teams) at Issue Specific Hearings 1 (ISH1), 2 (ISH2) and 3 (ISH3), and/or Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (CAH1) in w/c 10 July 2023 have been sent. If you no longer wish to speak at the Hearings please let the Case Team know.

The Agendas for Issue Specific Hearing 1 (ISH1) (PDF, 111KB), 2 (ISH2) (PDF, 113KB) and 3 (ISH3) (PDF, 159KB) and the Agenda for Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (CAH1) (PDF, 157KB) has been published.

For those wishing to observe any of the Hearings in real time please use the following livestream link: https://cvslivestream.co.uk/mallardpass/ 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: MallardPassSolar@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

5 July 2023

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept the following late submission from the Applicant: 9.13 Introduction to Applicant's Responses to Interested Parties' Deadline 2 Submissions (PDF, 372KB)

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept the following Additional Submission from National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc: Response to ExA's First Written Questions (PDF, 64KB)

The Examining Authority has also accepted the following clarifications from the Applicant:

  • Appendix J of the Appendices to the Applicant's Response to Interested Parties' Deadline 2 Submissions (PDF, 37MB) has been relabelled to correctly identify this as 'Swept Path Analysis at B1081 / Ryhall Road Junction'

  • 1.2.4 Guide to the Application – Revisions 3 and 4 incorrectly refer to the date of the current version of the Funding Statement as 15/06/2023. However there have been no updates to the Funding Statement submitted with the Application [APP-022]


The Examination Library (PDF, 510KB) has been updated.

4 July 2023

The Deadline 3 submissions have now been published.

The Agendas for Issue Specific Hearing 1 (ISH1) (PDF, 111KB), 2 (ISH2) (PDF, 113KB) and 3 (ISH3) (PDF, 159KB) have been published.

The Agenda for Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (CAH1) (PDF, 157KB) has been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 471KB) will be updated shortly.

23 June 2023

To take part in the hearings week commencing 10 July 2023, please register by using this form by 23:59 on Monday 3 July 2023

The Examination Library (PDF, 454 KB) has been updated.

20 June 2023

The Examining Authority has accepted a late submission from Dave Bryant (PDF, 96KB)

19 June 2023

The Deadline 2 submissions have now been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 247 KB) will be updated shortly.

12 June 2023

The Applicant's Notice for hearings (PDF, 53KB) for the week commencing 10 July 2023.

To take part in the hearings, please register by using this form by 23:59 on Monday 3 July 2023.

The Examination Library (PDF, 299 KB) will be updated shortly.

9 June 2023

The Examining Authority's (ExA) Rule 13 letter (PDF, 170KB), providing information regarding the notification of hearings w/c 10 July has been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 299 KB) will be updated shortly.

5 June 2023

The Deadline 1 submissions have now been published.


The Examination Library (PDF, 247 KB) will be updated shortly.


The following individuals: Christopher Williams, Richard Williams, Robert Ian Williams (PDF, 135KB) have been granted Interested Party Status under s102A of the 2008 Planning Act.

24 May 2023

The following documents have been published:

The Examination Library (PDF, 244KB) has been updated.

23 May 2023

The following documents have been published:

The Examination Library (PDF, 244KB) has been updated.

23 May 2023

The Examination Timetable (Rule 8 letter) has been sent to Interested Parties.

Procedural decision following Preliminary Meeting.

19 May 2023

The recordings and transcripts of Open Floor Hearing 1 and Open Floor Hearing 2 have been published.

The Examination Library (PDF, 244KB) has been updated.

18 May 2023

16 May 2023

Joining Instructions for those who have registered to participate in Open Floor Hearing 1 and Open Floor Hearing  2, taking place on 17 May 2023 have been sent to those attending virtually.

The livestream to view Open Floor Hearing 1 and Open Floor Hearing 2 is available for those wishing to observe the event in real-time: https://cvslivestream.co.uk/mallardpass/

Please note that the Open Floor Hearings will start broadcasting once it has opened. If the livestream does not initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page

The Agendas for Open Floor Hearing 1 and Open Floor Hearing 2 can be viewed here: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/EN010127/EN010127-000433-MPSP%20-%20230510%20-%20Agenda%20for%20OFH%201%20and%202.pdf

16 May 2023

Joining Instructions for those who have registered to participate in the Preliminary Meeting, taking place on 16 May 2023 have been sent to those attending virtually.

The livestream to view the Preliminary Meeting is available for those wishing to observe the event in real-time: https://cvslivestream.co.uk/mallardpass/

Please note that the Preliminary Meeting will start broadcasting once it has opened. If the livestream does not initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page

The agenda for the Preliminary Meeting (Rule 6 letter) can be found here: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/EN010127/EN010127-000353-Rule%206%20letter.pdf

16 May 2023

Preliminary Meeting takes place

16 May 2023

Examination begins

11 May 2023

The Agendas for Open Floor Hearing 1 and 2 (PDF, 182KB) have been published.

11 May 2023

The submissions at Procedural Deadline A have been published.

In addition to comments on procedural matters raised in advance of the Preliminary Meeting, these submissions include the Applicant’s updated draft Development Consent Order (clean and with track changes) as requested in the Examining Authority’s Rule 6 letter and the Applicant’s Response to Relevant Representations.

The Applicant has also submitted these additional documents at Procedural Deadline A which are subject to formal acceptance by the Examining Authority. A decision on whether to formally accept these documents will be made by the Examining Authority in its Rule 8 letter issued following the Preliminary Meeting:

9 May 2023

The submissions to Procedural Deadline A have been published

The Applicant has also submitted these additional documents at Procedural Deadline A which are subject to formal acceptance by the Examining Authority. A decision on whether to formally accept these documents will be made by the Examining Authority in its Rule 8 letter issued following the Preliminary Meeting:

13 April 2023

The notification of Preliminary Meeting (Rule 6 letter) has been sent.

The letter also includes the draft Examination Timetable and Initial Assessment of Principal Issues.

12 April 2023

The Rule 4 Letter (PDF, 120KB) – appointment of additional Examining Inspector.

The Examination Library  (PDF, 209KB) has been updated.

16 March 2023

Relevant representations published on the website

15 March 2023

The 6.2 Environmental Statement Volume 2 - Appendix 6.6 - LVIA Viewpoint Correspondence (PDF, 3 MB) and the Response to the s51 Advice (PDF, 1 MB) have been accepted at the discretion of the Examination Authority.

The Examination Library (PDF, 202 KB) will be updated shortly.

2 March 2023

Registration of interested parties closes

30 January 2023

You can now register as an Interested Party Register online
If you are unable to complete a registration form online and would like to register your interest, please call the helpline on: 0303 444 5000 to request a paper form.

For further advice please see Advice Note 8.2: How to register to participate in an Examination.

You can check our step by step guide to find out more about having your say about a national infrastructure project.

18 January 2023

The Applicant has submitted the following document:

6.2 Environmental Statement Volume 2 - Appendix 6.6 - LVIA Viewpoint Correspondence (PDF, 3 MB)

A decision on whether these will be accepted into the Examination will be made once the Examining Authority has been appointed.

These have been added to the Examination Library (PDF,193 KB)

5 January 2023

Registration of interested parties begins

21 December 2022

The application has been accepted for examination

9 December 2022

The application documents have been published.

The documents have been published to help you become familiar with the proposal. There is no opportunity to make comments on the application at this stage.

If the application is accepted you will be able to register and express your views during the Registration and Relevant Representation stage and the subsequent Examination. Further detail on this process is provided in Advice Note 8.2.

24 November 2022

Application received by the Planning Inspectorate