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All project updates
14 March 2024
The Deadline 6 submissions have been published.
The Examining Authority’s notification of the completion of the Examination (PDF, 134 KB) has been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1MB) has been updated.
7 March 2024
The Examining Authority’s notification of the completion of the Examination (PDF, 134 KB) has been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1MB) has been updated.
1 March 2024
We have published Deadline 5 Submissions.
We have also published the video recording and transcript for Issue Specific Hearing 6, Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 and Open Floor Hearing 3 held on Wednesday 28 February 2024.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1.1MB) has been updated.
27 February 2024
We have sent instructions for registered participants to join the virtual Issue Specific Hearing 6, Open Floor Hearing 3, Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 on Wednesday 28 February 2024.
You can also observe the Issue Specific Hearing 6, Open Floor Hearing 3, Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 online. If the livestream does not work, try refreshing your webpage.
27 February 2024
The agenda for the Issue Specific Hearing 6, Open Floor Hearing 3, Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 on Wednesday 28 February 2024 (PDF, 153KB) has been published.
13 February 2024
The Examining Authority's request for Further Information (PDF, 234KB) has been published. The Deadline for response is Deadline 5, Tuesday 27 February 2024.
The Examining Authority's proposed schedule of changes to the draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 224KB) has been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 2MB) has been updated.
The Examining Authority's proposed schedule of changes to the draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 224KB) has been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 2MB) has been updated.
12 February 2024
The Planning Inspectorate's webpage for the Cottam Solar Project will be moved over to the new National Infrastructure Planning website in week commencing 12 February 2024. This means that the information currently on the 'Overview' tab will be presented in a different way and the way you access documents will be different. Please contact the Case Team if you have any queries about the change: CottamSolarProject@planninginspectorate.gov.uk.
5 February 2024
The Deadline 3A Submissions and Deadline 4 Submissions have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1MB) will be updated shortly.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1MB) will be updated shortly.
2 February 2024
The Examining Authority's (ExA's) letter regarding a Notification of Hearings and other Procedural Decisions (PDF, 166KB) relating to the change request has been published.
Relevant Representations regarding the Applicant’s proposed provisions for the compulsory acquisition of additional land have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1MB) will be updated shortly.
Relevant Representations regarding the Applicant’s proposed provisions for the compulsory acquisition of additional land have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1MB) will be updated shortly.
16 January 2024
Following the Examining Authority’s (ExA) decision to accept the Applicant's Proposed Provision for a Change Request (PDF, 216KB) for examination, comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provisions for the compulsory acquisition of additional land by 23:59 on Sunday 28 January 2024.
Any comments relating to the Change Request must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate only to the Applicant’s proposed provision for the compulsory acquisition of additional land as set out in The notification of the Applicant's intention to submit a change request (PDF, 2MB) for the respective changes. Any submissions that are not in relation to this, or are not on the prescribed form, will not be seen by the ExA and will be disregarded. Comments submitted after the deadline will also be disregarded.
Any comments relating to the Change Request must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate only to the Applicant’s proposed provision for the compulsory acquisition of additional land as set out in The notification of the Applicant's intention to submit a change request (PDF, 2MB) for the respective changes. Any submissions that are not in relation to this, or are not on the prescribed form, will not be seen by the ExA and will be disregarded. Comments submitted after the deadline will also be disregarded.
16 January 2024
The Examining Authority's Second Written Questions (PDF, 371KB) has been published. The Deadline for responses is Tuesday 30 January 2024 (Deadline 4).
The Examination Timetable made provision for the Examining Authority, for the Cottam Solar Project, to issue a Report on the Implications for European Sites (RIES), if required, on Tuesday 16 January 2024. Please note that the Examining Authority has decided not to issue a Report on the Implications for European Sites as part of this Examination.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1.03MB) has been updated.
The Examination Timetable made provision for the Examining Authority, for the Cottam Solar Project, to issue a Report on the Implications for European Sites (RIES), if required, on Tuesday 16 January 2024. Please note that the Examining Authority has decided not to issue a Report on the Implications for European Sites as part of this Examination.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1.03MB) has been updated.
22 December 2023
Document publication:
The Deadline 3 Submissions and the Examining Authority’s (ExA’s) Record of its Access Required and Unaccompanied Site Inspections (PDF, 121KB) have been published. The Examination Library (PDF, 974KB) will be updated shortly.
Change Request Relevant Representation Period:
Following the Examining Authority’s (ExA) decision to accept the Applicant’s Proposed Provision for a Change Request (PDF, 216KB) for examination, comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provisions for the compulsory acquisition of additional land by 23:59 on Sunday 28 January 2024.
Any comments relating to the Change Request must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate only to the Applicant’s proposed provision for the compulsory acquisition of additional land as set out in The notification of the Applicant’s intention to submit a change request (PDF, 2MB) for the respective changes. Any submissions that are not in relation to this, or are not on the prescribed form, will not be seen by the ExA and will be disregarded. Comments submitted after the deadline will also be disregarded.
The Deadline 3 Submissions and the Examining Authority’s (ExA’s) Record of its Access Required and Unaccompanied Site Inspections (PDF, 121KB) have been published. The Examination Library (PDF, 974KB) will be updated shortly.
Change Request Relevant Representation Period:
Following the Examining Authority’s (ExA) decision to accept the Applicant’s Proposed Provision for a Change Request (PDF, 216KB) for examination, comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provisions for the compulsory acquisition of additional land by 23:59 on Sunday 28 January 2024.
Any comments relating to the Change Request must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate only to the Applicant’s proposed provision for the compulsory acquisition of additional land as set out in The notification of the Applicant’s intention to submit a change request (PDF, 2MB) for the respective changes. Any submissions that are not in relation to this, or are not on the prescribed form, will not be seen by the ExA and will be disregarded. Comments submitted after the deadline will also be disregarded.
21 December 2023
Following the Examining Authority's (ExA) decision to accept the Applicant's Proposed Provision for a Change Request (PDF, 216KB) for examination, comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provisions for the compulsory acquisition of additional land by 23:59 on Sunday 28 January 2024.
Any comments relating to the Change Request must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate only to the Applicant's proposed provision for the compulsory acquisition of additional land as set out in The notification of the Applicant's intention to submit a change request (PDF, 2MB) for the respective changes. Any submissions that are not in relation to this, or are not on the prescribed form, will not be seen by the ExA and will be disregarded. Comments submitted after the deadline will also be disregarded.
Any comments relating to the Change Request must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate only to the Applicant's proposed provision for the compulsory acquisition of additional land as set out in The notification of the Applicant's intention to submit a change request (PDF, 2MB) for the respective changes. Any submissions that are not in relation to this, or are not on the prescribed form, will not be seen by the ExA and will be disregarded. Comments submitted after the deadline will also be disregarded.
19 December 2023
The Examining Authority’s response to The Applicant's Change Notification and Rule 8(3) letter giving details of changes to the Examination Timetable (PDF, 216KB) has been published.
The Applicant's Change Notification has been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 962KB) and Examination Timetable will be updated shortly.
The Applicant's Change Notification has been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 962KB) and Examination Timetable will be updated shortly.
13 December 2023
Video recordings and transcripts for the following hearings held during the week commencing Monday 4 December 2023 have been published:
The Examination Library (PDF, 947KB) has been updated.
- Issue Specific Hearing 2 and Issue Specific Hearing 3 held on Tuesday 5 December 2023.
- Issue Specific Hearing 4 held on Wednesday 6 December 2023.
- Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 and Open Floor Hearing 2 on Thursday 7 December 2023.
- Issue Specific Hearing 5 on the Draft Development Consent Order held on Friday 8 September 2023.
The Examination Library (PDF, 947KB) has been updated.
4 December 2023
Issue Specific Hearing 2 (PDF, 253) and Issue Specific Hearing 3 (PDF, 253) to be held on Tuesday 5 December 2023 and Issue Specific Hearing 4 (PDF, 253KB) to be held on Wednesday 6 December 2023 at the West Lindsey District Council Offices, Guildhall, Marshall’s Yard, Gainsborough, DN21 2NA.
Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (PDF, 170KB) and Open Floor Hearing 2 (PDF, 173KB) to be held on Thursday 7 December 2023 and Issue Specific Hearing 5 (PDF, 253KB) to be held on Friday 8 December 2023 at the West Hall, Epic Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln, LN2 2NA. Joining Instructions for virtual attendance at these hearings will be provided in advance of the event.
A livestream of these hearings will be available at https://cvslivestream.co.uk/cottamsolar/ during each event. Please note that the event will start broadcasting LIVE when opened by the Examining Authority. If the Livestream does not initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (PDF, 170KB) and Open Floor Hearing 2 (PDF, 173KB) to be held on Thursday 7 December 2023 and Issue Specific Hearing 5 (PDF, 253KB) to be held on Friday 8 December 2023 at the West Hall, Epic Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln, LN2 2NA. Joining Instructions for virtual attendance at these hearings will be provided in advance of the event.
A livestream of these hearings will be available at https://cvslivestream.co.uk/cottamsolar/ during each event. Please note that the event will start broadcasting LIVE when opened by the Examining Authority. If the Livestream does not initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
30 November 2023
The Examining Authority's response (PDF, 165KB) to the Applicant’s notice of intention (Notification Letter (PDF, 2MB) to submit a request for changes to the application has been published.
Please note that the publication of the Applicant’s Change Notification does not indicate that the proposed changes to the application has been accepted for examination by the Examining Authority. In the meantime, any comments/ responses about the merits of the application should be made in respect of the application as originally submitted.
Agendas for the following hearings due to take place have been published:
Issue Specific Hearing 2 (PDF, 253) and Issue Specific Hearing 3 (PDF, 253) to be held on Tuesday 5 December 2023 and Issue Specific Hearing 4 (PDF, 253KB) to be held on Wednesday 6 December 2023 at the West Lindsey District Council Offices, Guildhall, Marshall’s Yard, Gainsborough, DN21 2NA.
Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (PDF, 170KB) and Open Floor Hearing 2 (PDF, 173KB) to be held on Thursday 7 December 2023 and Issue Specific Hearing 5 (PDF, 253KB) to be held on Friday 8 December 2023 at the West Hall, Epic Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln, LN2 2NA.
No Accompanied Site Inspection is planned for the week commencing Monday 4 December 2023.
The Examination Library (PDF, 925KB) will be updated shortly.
Please note that the publication of the Applicant’s Change Notification does not indicate that the proposed changes to the application has been accepted for examination by the Examining Authority. In the meantime, any comments/ responses about the merits of the application should be made in respect of the application as originally submitted.
Agendas for the following hearings due to take place have been published:
Issue Specific Hearing 2 (PDF, 253) and Issue Specific Hearing 3 (PDF, 253) to be held on Tuesday 5 December 2023 and Issue Specific Hearing 4 (PDF, 253KB) to be held on Wednesday 6 December 2023 at the West Lindsey District Council Offices, Guildhall, Marshall’s Yard, Gainsborough, DN21 2NA.
Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (PDF, 170KB) and Open Floor Hearing 2 (PDF, 173KB) to be held on Thursday 7 December 2023 and Issue Specific Hearing 5 (PDF, 253KB) to be held on Friday 8 December 2023 at the West Hall, Epic Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln, LN2 2NA.
No Accompanied Site Inspection is planned for the week commencing Monday 4 December 2023.
The Examination Library (PDF, 925KB) will be updated shortly.
29 November 2023
The Deadline 2 Submissions have been published.
Agendas for Issue Specific Hearings (PDF 253KB), Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (PDF 170KB) and Open Floor Hearing 2 (PDF 173KB) due to be held during the week commencing Monday 4 December 2023 have also been published.
The Examination Library (PDF 833KB) has been updated.
Agendas for Issue Specific Hearings (PDF 253KB), Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (PDF 170KB) and Open Floor Hearing 2 (PDF 173KB) due to be held during the week commencing Monday 4 December 2023 have also been published.
The Examination Library (PDF 833KB) has been updated.
31 October 2023
The Examining Authority’s notification of Issue Specific Hearings, Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 and Open Floor Hearing 2 to be held during the week commencing Monday 5 December 2023 (PDF, 174KB) has been published.
The Examining Authority’s First Written Questions (PDF, 492KB) have been published. The Deadline for responses is Tuesday 21 November 2023 (Deadline 2).
The Examination Library (PDF, 840KB) has been updated.
The Examining Authority’s First Written Questions (PDF, 492KB) have been published. The Deadline for responses is Tuesday 21 November 2023 (Deadline 2).
The Examination Library (PDF, 840KB) has been updated.
25 October 2023
The Deadline 1 Submissions have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF 660KB) will be updated shortly.
The Examination Library (PDF 660KB) will be updated shortly.
19 September 2023
The Examination Timetable (Rule 8 letter) has been sent to Interested Parties.
Procedural decision following Preliminary Meeting.
15 September 2023
Video recordings and transcripts from the Preliminary Meeting and Open Floor Hearing 1 held on Tuesday 5 September 2023 have been published. Video recordings and transcripts from Issue Specific Hearing 1 on the Draft Development Consent Order held on Wednesday 6 September 2023 have also been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 642KB) has been updated.
The Examination Library (PDF, 642KB) has been updated.
5 September 2023
The Preliminary Meeting, Open Floor Hearing 1 and Issue Specific Hearing 1 will be taking place in the West Hall, EPIC Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 2NA during the week commencing Monday 4 September 2023. Agendas for the Preliminary Meeting (PDF, 392 KB), Open Floor Hearing 1 (PDF, 124KB) Issue Specific Hearing 1 on the draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 160KB) have been published.
Joining Instructions for virtual attendance at the Preliminary Meeting, Open Floor Hearing 1 and Issue Specific Hearing 1 will be provided in advance of the event.
A livestream of these hearings will be available at https://cvslivestream.co.uk/cottamsolar/ during each event. Please note that the event will start broadcasting LIVE when opened by the Examining Authority. If the Livestream does not initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
Joining Instructions for virtual attendance at the Preliminary Meeting, Open Floor Hearing 1 and Issue Specific Hearing 1 will be provided in advance of the event.
A livestream of these hearings will be available at https://cvslivestream.co.uk/cottamsolar/ during each event. Please note that the event will start broadcasting LIVE when opened by the Examining Authority. If the Livestream does not initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
5 September 2023
Preliminary Meeting takes place
5 September 2023
Examination begins
1 September 2023
The Preliminary Meeting, Open Floor Hearing 1 and Issue Specific Hearing 1 will be taking place in the West Hall, EPIC Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 2NA during the week commencing Monday 4 September 2023. Agendas for the Preliminary Meeting (PDF, 392 KB), Open Floor Hearing 1 (PDF, 124KB) Issue Specific Hearing 1 on the draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 160KB) have been published.
Joining Instructions for virtual attendance at the Preliminary Meeting, Open Floor Hearing 1 and Issue Specific Hearing 1 will be provided in advance of the event.
A livestream of these hearings will be available at https://cvslivestream.co.uk/cottamsolar/ during each event. Please note that the event will start broadcasting LIVE when opened by the Examining Authority. If the Livestream does not initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
Joining Instructions for virtual attendance at the Preliminary Meeting, Open Floor Hearing 1 and Issue Specific Hearing 1 will be provided in advance of the event.
A livestream of these hearings will be available at https://cvslivestream.co.uk/cottamsolar/ during each event. Please note that the event will start broadcasting LIVE when opened by the Examining Authority. If the Livestream does not initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
29 August 2023
Submissions made for Procedural Deadline A on Tuesday 22 August 2023 have been published.
Additional Submissions from multiple parties have been accepted into Examination by the discretion of the Examining Authority.
The agenda for the Preliminary Meeting (392 KB, PDF) has been published as part of the Rule 6 documentation. The agendas for Open Floor Hearing 1 (124 KB, PDF) and Issue Specific Hearing 1 on the draft Development Consent Order (160 KB, PDF) have been published.
The Examination Library (633 KB, PDF) will be updated shortly.
Additional Submissions from multiple parties have been accepted into Examination by the discretion of the Examining Authority.
The agenda for the Preliminary Meeting (392 KB, PDF) has been published as part of the Rule 6 documentation. The agendas for Open Floor Hearing 1 (124 KB, PDF) and Issue Specific Hearing 1 on the draft Development Consent Order (160 KB, PDF) have been published.
The Examination Library (633 KB, PDF) will be updated shortly.
10 July 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.
3 May 2023
A document has been appended to the Relevant Representation made by the Environment Agency for the Cottam Solar Project.
27 April 2023
An amendment has been made to append a document to the Relevant Representation made by Kexby Parish Council for the Cottam Solar Project.
25 April 2023
The Examining Authority has accepted 13 Additional Submissions from the Applicant in response to s51 advice given at the time this Applicant was Accepted for Examination.
A document has been appended to the Relevant Representation made by Patricia Mitchell.
The Examination Library (PDF, 596 KB) has been updated.
A document has been appended to the Relevant Representation made by Patricia Mitchell.
The Examination Library (PDF, 596 KB) has been updated.
14 April 2023
The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept Additional Submissions from the following parties:
The Examination Library (PDF, 357KB) will be updated shortly.
- The Coal Authority (PDF, 109KB)
- EDF - Thermal Generation Limited (PDF, 349KB)
The Examination Library (PDF, 357KB) will be updated shortly.
13 April 2023
Relevant representations published on the website
30 March 2023
Registration of interested parties closes
16 February 2023
Registration of interested parties begins
9 February 2023
The application has been accepted for examination
30 January 2023
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.
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.
13 January 2023
This application was received by the Planning Inspectorate on Thursday 12 January 2023.
The applicant has agreed that all application documents can be published as soon as practicable to help everyone become familiar with the detail of what is being proposed in this application. The Planning Inspectorate will therefore make the application documents available as soon as practicable.
This provision is solely for the purpose of allowing more time to all those who wish to become familiar with the detail of what is being proposed ahead of the Registration and Relevant Representation period without lengthening the overall time required for the application process. There will be no opportunity at this stage to make comments on the application. However, if the application is accepted anyone interested in the application will be able to register and express their views during the Registration and Relevant Representation stage and the subsequent examination.
The applicant has agreed that all application documents can be published as soon as practicable to help everyone become familiar with the detail of what is being proposed in this application. The Planning Inspectorate will therefore make the application documents available as soon as practicable.
This provision is solely for the purpose of allowing more time to all those who wish to become familiar with the detail of what is being proposed ahead of the Registration and Relevant Representation period without lengthening the overall time required for the application process. There will be no opportunity at this stage to make comments on the application. However, if the application is accepted anyone interested in the application will be able to register and express their views during the Registration and Relevant Representation stage and the subsequent examination.
12 January 2023
Application received by the Planning Inspectorate