AQUIND Interconnector - All project updates

In accordance with paragraph 2(c) of the Secretary of State's letter of 12 July 2024, the Attorney General’s Office has now appointed a representative to act on behalf of the Applicant in relation to the closed representations made by the Ministry of Defence.

The Ministry of Defence has provided the Secretary of State with its open representations (PDF, 395KB). The Secretary of State has been invited to view the remaining, confidential parts of the MOD’s representations. An update will be provided in due course.

The Applicant (PDF, 161KB) and the Ministry of Defence (PDF, 134KB) have requested clarifications on the Secretary of State’s process for considering the representations the MOD intends to submit.

The Secretary of State has today issued a letter (PDF, 120KB) responding to the Applicant and the Ministry of Defence. No responses are required.

The Secretary of State has today issued a letter (PDF, 92KB) to the Applicant and the Ministry of Defence, with Interested Parties copied in.

This letter finalises a process for considering the representations the MOD intends to submit.

The Secretary of State has requested that the MOD submits its representations by 23:59 on 23 August 2024.

An error with the link to the Applicant’s response was identified. This has now been amended.

The Secretary of State has received responses from the Applicant (PDF, 242KB) and the Ministry of Defence (PDF, 112KB) following an information request of 16 May 2024 (PDF, 91.6 KB). The Secretary of State is considering these responses, and a further update will be provided in due course.

The Secretary of State has received responses from the Applicant (PDF, 242KB) and the Ministry of Defence (PDF, 112KB) following an information request of 16 May 2024. The Secretary of State is considering these responses, and a further update will be provided in due course.

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. We will provide a further update following the General Election.

The Secretary of State has received a request from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) (PDF, 47KB) to extend the period to respond to her letter of 16 May 2024 (PDF, 94KB).

The Secretary of State has decided to extend the deadline for responses from the MOD and the Applicant to 23:59 on 7 June 2024.

The Secretary of State has today issued a letter to the Applicant and the Ministry of Defence (PDF, 94KB), with Interested Parties copied in.

This letter outlines a proposed process for considering the representations the MOD intends to submit.

The Secretary of State invites comments from the MOD and the Applicant on the proposed process.

The deadline for response is 23:59 on 30 May 2024.

The Ministry of Defence has provided a response to the Secretary of State's letter of 9 February 2024 (PDF, 98KB) and stated that its representations relate to significant national security concerns. The MOD has explained that its representations cannot be finalised and submitted until a process has been developed which allows the concerns to be considered within the planning process in a manner consistent with their sensitive nature. Once this is resolved, the MOD has requested a further 6 weeks to finalise its representations. In light of this, the Secretary of State will consider the next steps on the process.

Separately, the Secretary of State has been made aware that a computer error, caused by the transfer of the AQUIND application's project page to the Planning Inspectorate's beta service, mistakenly displayed that a decision had been made on the application. The Secretary of State has been informed that the computer error and subsequent update were linked to the original decision of 2022. The Secretary of State can confirm that no decision has been made on the re-determination of the application and the error has been corrected.

The Secretary of State has today issued a letter (PDF, 76KB) to all Interested Parties setting a deadline for the Ministry of Defence to submit its representations to the re-determination.

The Secretary of State has today issued a letter (PDF, 72KB) to the Applicant and all Interested Parties explaining the rationale for the re-determination continuing.

Updates between the Applicant (PDF, 129 KB) and Portsmouth City Council (PDF, 111 KB) have been published.

The Secretary of State has received responses to the request of 14 July 2023. The Secretary of State is currently reviewing these responses.

The Secretary of State has received responses to the request of 14 July 2023. The Secretary of State is currently reviewing these responses.

It has been noted that there were issues with the uploading and labelling of the Portsmouth City Council submission of 28 April 2023 (PDF, 1,711KB) and the joint National Grid Electricity Transmission and National Grid Electricity System Operator submission of 28 April 2023 (PDF, 83KB) on the PINS website. These submissions were provided in response to the Secretary of State’s information request of 3 March 2023. On 23 May 2023, the Secretary of State invited comments from Interested Parties on all responses received. However, noting the issues that have been identified with the publication of these two responses in particular, the Secretary of State today invites any further comments from Interested Parties on these two responses.

No further comments are sought on any other responses. The deadline for any further response is 23:59 on 28 July 2023.

The Secretary of State has received further submissions which have been uploaded.

The Secretary of State invited comments from Interested Parties on the matters contained in the request of 03 March 2023 and the information contained in the Applicant's response dated 28 April 2023. The Secretary of State is currently reviewing these responses.

In accordance with Regulation 20(2) of the Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010, the Secretary of State published a Statement of Matters (PDF, 141KB) on 03 March 2023 on which further representations were invited from the Applicant. Responses to the Statement of Matters have been published. The Secretary of State has invited comments from Interested Parties on the matters contained in the request of 03 March 2023 and the information contained in the Applicant's response dated 28 April 2023. The deadline for any response is 23:59 on 20 June 2023.

The Secretary of State has received a request from the Applicant and Hampshire County Council to extend the period to respond to his letter of 03 March 2023.

The Secretary of State has decided to extend the deadline for all responses to 23:59 on 28 April 2023.

The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has today written to the Applicant and other Interested Parties requesting further information. (PDF, 141 KB) The deadline for any response is 23:59 on 31 March 2023.

Following an Order of the High Court made on 24 January 2023, the decision of the Secretary of State dated 20 January 2022 to refuse the application by AQUIND Limited for development consent for the proposed AQUIND Interconnector Project has been quashed. The Secretary of State will now re-determine that application. Further details on the re-determination will be published here in due course.

The Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has today refused development consent for the project: AQUIND Interconnector

Secretary of State’s Decision Letter (PDF, 303 KB)
Planning Inspectorate Decision Cover Letter (PDF, 144 KB)
Examining Authority’s Recommendation Report (PDF, 5 MB)
Habitats Regulations Assessment (PDF,737 KB)
Regulation 31 Notice (PDF, 62 KB)

Decision made by the Secretary of State

The Secretary of State invited comments from Interested Parties by 15 December 2021 on the response from the Applicant to his letter of 04 November 2021 requesting further information. The Secretary of State is currently reviewing these responses.

The Secretary of State has invited comments from Interested Parties on the Applicant’s response to the Secretary of State’s request for further information of 4 November 2021 (PDF, 151KB). The deadline for any response is 23:59 on 15 December 2021.

The Applicant has submitted a further letter in respect of the Secretary of State’s request for information of 4 November 2021. (PDF,185KB)

The Secretary of State has invited comments from Interested Parties on the Applicant’s response to the Secretary of State’s request for further information of 4 November 2021 (PDF, 151KB). The deadline for any response is 23:59 on 15 December 2021.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has received responses to its request for further information of the 4 November 2021.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has today written to the Applicant seeking further information. (PDF, 187KB) The deadline for a response is 23.59 on 18 November 2021.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has decided to extend the statutory deadline for this application to 21 January 2022. 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. For further information, please refer to the written statement laid in Parliament.

The Secretary of State has received responses from Interested Parties following his invitation (17 September) to respond to the further comments from the Applicant dated 16th September.

The Secretary of State has received responses from the Applicant and other Interested Parties to his letter of 2 September 2021 (PDF, 201KB) requesting further information and is reviewing these responses.

The Secretary of State invites comments from Interested Parties on the responses to his consultation by 1 October 2021.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has decided to extend the statutory deadline for this application to 21 October 2021. A statement confirming the new deadline for a decision will be made to the House of Commons and House of Lords at the earliest opportunity once Parliament reconvenes, in accordance with section 107(7) of the Planning Act 2008. For further information, please refer to the written statement laid in Parliament.

The Secretary of State has requested information from the Applicant (PDF, 201KB). The deadline for a response is 23.59 on Thursday 16 September 2021.

The Secretary of State invited comments from Interested Parties by 12 August 2021 on the responses from the Applicant and other Interested Parties to his letter of 13 July 2021 requesting further information. The Secretary of State is currently reviewing these responses.

The Secretary of State has received responses from the Applicant and other Interested Parties to his letter of 13 July 2021 requesting further information and is reviewing these responses. The Secretary of State invites comments from Interested Parties on the responses to his consultation by 12 August 2021.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has today written to the Applicant (PDF, 172KB) seeking further information. The deadline for a response is 27 July 2021.

Recommendations given by the Planning Inspectorate

The Applicant’s submissions for Deadline 9 have been published. These will be added to the Examination Library as soon as possible.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept a late Deadline 8 submission from Sport England (PDF, 159KB).

Additionally, it has been brought to our attention that the Statement of Common Ground between the Applicant and Portsmouth Water Ltd, submitted at Deadline 8, contained the incorrect reference number. As such, the Applicant has provided a corrected version (PDF, 672KB) and it has been published in place of the previously submitted version.

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

The Examining Authority (ExA) has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from First Hampshire & Dorset Limited (FirstBus) (PDF, 223KB).

Additionally, the ExA has exercised its discretion to accept submissions for Deadline 8 from the following persons that have not registered as Interested Parties:

Martin Grice (PDF, 94KB);

Ludmila Haskins (PDF, 122KB);

Christine Elmer (PDF, 101KB);

Richard and Julie Hipkiss (PDF, 89KB);

Ella Lawson (PDF, 78KB ).

The Examination Library will be updated as soon as possible.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept the following Additional Submissions:

Withdrawal of Network Rail objections (PDF, 108KB);

Withdrawal of Highways England objections (PDF, 373KB).

The Examining Authority has requested further information from the Applicant (PDF, 109KB), by Deadline 9 (5 March 2020).

These documents, along with Deadline 8 submissions, have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 2MB).

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept the following Additional Submissions from Hampshire County Council:

Oral Transcript of Issue Specific Hearing 4 (PDF, 572 KB);

Oral Transcript of Issue Specific Hearing 5 (PDF, 564 KB)

The Examining Authority also recently conducted an Unaccompanied Site Inspection, and it's note (PDF, 128 KB) has been published.

Deadline 8 Submissions have also been published and will be added to the Examination Library shortly.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept the following documents from the Applicant:

Framework Traffic Management Strategy Rev-004 (Clean) (PDF, 19MB);

Framework Construction Traffic Management Plan Rev-004 (Tracked) (PDF, 2MB);

Framework Construction Traffic Management Plan Rev-004 (Clean) (PDF, 20MB);

Framework Traffic Management Strategy Rev-004 (Tracked) (PDF, 3MB).

These have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1MB).

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept the following documents into the Examination:

From AQUIND Limited: Post Hearing Note relating to non UK Planning Consents and Approvals (PDF, 852 KB);

From The Marine Management Organisation: Oral transcript from Issue Specific Hearing 4 (PDF, 831 KB);

From The Marine Management Organisation: Post Hearing Note (PDF, 444 KB).

Additionally, the Examining Authority has issued a Procedural Decision and request for further information from the Applicant (PDF, 134 KB) in response to its recent request to amend the Examination Timetable (PDF, 111 KB).

These documents have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1 MB).

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept Additional Submissions from the Applicant:

Appendix 1 National Grid ESO Network Options Assessment (January 2021) (PDF, 31MB)

Applicant’s Written Summary of the Oral Case at ISH5 - Appendix 1 Additional Information Requested at ISH5 Q5.1 (PDF, 11MB)

Applicant's Written Summary of the Oral Case at Issue Specific Hearing 5 (ISH5) (PDF, 197KB)

Applicant's Written Summary of the Oral Case at Issue Specific Hearing 4 (ISH4) (PDF, 212KB)

Applicant's Letter to the Examining Authority (Examination Timetable) (PDF, 111KB)

Recordings and transcripts of Open Floor Hearing 3 (OFH3) 19 February 2021 and of Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 3 (CAH3) 19 February 2021 have also been published.

These have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1MB).

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from the Applicant (PDF, 2MB). This has been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1MB).

Recordings and transcripts of Issue Specific Hearing 4 (ISH4) 17 February 2021 and of Issue Specific Hearing 5 (ISH5) 18 February 2021 have been published and added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1MB).

Reserved date for a possible event on Monday 22 February 2021 is no longer required.

Deadline 7c Submissions have been published and added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1MB).

For those wishing to observe the Hearings that will be held during the week commencing 15 February 2021, here is the link to the livestream (which remains the same for all Hearings relating to this project).

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from the Applicant (PDF, 5MB). This has been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 2MB).

For those wishing to observe the Hearings that will be held during the week commencing 15 February 2021, here is the link to the livestream (which remains the same for all Hearings relating to this project).

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept a further Additional Submission from Portsmouth City Council (PDF, 514KB). This has been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 2MB).

For those wishing to observe the Hearings that will be held during the week commencing 15 February 2021, here is the link to the livestream (which remains the same for all Hearings relating to this project).

To address misunderstandings in our letter dated 10 February 2021, which responds to an Additional Submission from Portsmouth City Council [AS-060], we have issued a subsequent letter. This has been appended to the Additional Submission and response of 10 February 2021 (PDF, 3MB).

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Portsmouth City Council (PDF, 3MB). The Planning Inspectorate’s response to that submission is attached to it.

This has been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1MB).

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Winchester City Council (PDF, 353KB), which responds to the Examining Authority’s recent request for further information. This has been added to the Examination Library.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an appendix which was omitted from the Applicant's Deadline 7 submission (PDF, 2MB).

This has been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 2MB).

The Examining Authority (ExA) has exercised its discretion to accept late Deadline 7 submissions from:

Viola Langley (PDF, 170 KB);

The Applicant (PDF, 995 KB).

Additionally, the ExA has published the following documents:

Procedural Decision on the Applicant’s Change Request 3 and request for further information from Winchester City Council (PDF, 174KB);

Report on the Implications for European Sites (PDF, 565KB);

The ExA’s schedule of changes to the draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 326KB);

Issue Specific Hearing 4 agenda (PDF, 196KB);

Issue Specific Hearing 5 agenda (PDF, 148KB);

Open Floor Hearing 3 agenda (PDF, 112KB);

Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 3 agenda (PDF, 106KB).

These documents have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1MB).

Deadline 7 submissions have been published.

Additionally, 10 representations were received for Deadline 7a, in relation to the Applicant’s change request 2. These are from:

Historic England;

Patrick Whittle;

Cynthia Whittle;

Chris Westcott;

Havant Friends of the Earth;

Gordon Lowe;

Blake Morgan LLP on behalf of Mr. Geoffrey Carpenter and Mr. Peter Carpenter;

Winchester City Council;

Tracey Jones;

Kirsten McFarlane.

The submissions have been added to the Examination Library (PDF 2MB).

The Examining Authority has issued a letter which amends the Examination Timetable, makes Procedural Decisions and provides notification of forthcoming Hearings (PDF, 317KB).

Change Request 2

The Examining Authority (ExA) has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from the Applicant seeking a second change request (PDF, 144KB). In response, the ExA has subsequently issued a Procedural Decision confirming that it will examine the second change request (PDF, 153KB). Comments are now invited on Change Request 2 by 23.59 on Thursday 28 January 2021.

Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate solely to the Applicant’s second change request (PDF, 144KB); any submissions that are not in relation to the Change Request 2, 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.

These documents have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1MB).

The Examining Authority has issued a letter which makes amends to the Examination Timetable, makes Procedural Decisions and provides notification of forthcoming Hearings (PDF, 317KB).

The Examining Authority’s Further Written Questions (ExQ2) (PDF, 302KB) have been published.

The Examining Authority has also granted Interested Party status, under s102 of the Planning Act 2008, to Rocking Horse Day Nursery (PDF, 95KB).

Change Request 2

The Examining Authority (ExA) has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from the Applicant seeking a second change request (PDF, 144KB). In response, the ExA has subsequently issued a Procedural Decision confirming that it will examine the second change request (PDF, 153KB). Comments are now invited on Change Request 2 by 23.59 on Thursday 28 January 2021.

Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate solely to the Applicant’s second change request (PDF, 144KB); any submissions that are not in relation to the Change Request 2, 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.

These documents have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1MB).

Deadline 6 submissions have been published.

Representations for Deadline 6a, in response to the Applicant’s Change Request 1, have been received from:

Tudor Sailing Club;

Portsmouth City Council

Change Request 2

The Examining Authority (ExA) has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from the Applicant seeking a second change request (PDF, 144 KB). In response, the ExA has subsequently issued a Procedural Decision confirming that it will examine the second change request (PDF, 153KB). Comments are now invited on Change Request 2 by 23.59 on Thursday 28 January 2021.

Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate solely to the Applicant’s second change request (PDF, 144KB); any submissions that are not in relation to the Change Request 2, 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.

These documents have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1012KB).

The Examining Authority (ExA) has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from the Applicant in support of the second change request (PDF, 10MB).

The Examining Authority has granted Interested Party status, under section 102a of the Planning Act 2008, to Mr James Bunbury (PDF, 93KB).
Change Request 2
The Examining Authority (ExA) has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from the Applicant seeking a second change request (PDF, 144 KB). In response, the ExA has subsequently issued a Procedural Decision confirming that it will examine the second change request (PDF, 153KB). Comments are now invited on Change Request 2 by 23.59 on Thursday 28 January 2021.

Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate solely to the Applicant’s second change request (PDF, 144KB); any submissions that are not in relation to the Change Request 2, 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.

These documents have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1012KB).

The Examining Authority (ExA) has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from the Applicant in support of the second change request (PDF, 10MB).

The Examining Authority has granted Interested Party status, under section 102a of the Planning Act 2008, to Mr James Bunbury (PDF, 93KB).

The ExA has accepted two change requests from the Applicant:
Change Request 1
Following the ExA’s decision to accept the Applicant’s first change request (PDF, 162KB) for examination (Change Request 1), comments are invited on the Applicant’s proposed provision by 23.59 on Thursday 24 December 2020.

Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate solely to the Applicant’s first change request (PDF, 7MB); any submissions that are not in relation to the Change Request 1, 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.
Change Request 2
The Examining Authority (ExA) has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from the Applicant seeking a second change request (PDF, 144 KB). In response, the ExA has subsequently issued a Procedural Decision confirming that it will examine the second change request (PDF, 153KB). Comments are now invited on Change Request 2 by 23.59 on Thursday 28 January 2021.

Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate solely to the Applicant’s second change request (PDF, 144KB); any submissions that are not in relation to the Change Request 2, 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.

These documents have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1012KB).

Recordings and transcripts of the Hearings held during the weeks commencing 7 & 14 December have now been published.

The Examining Authority (ExA) has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from the Applicant seeking a second change request (PDF, 144 KB). In response, the ExA has subsequently issued a Procedural Decision confirming that it will examine the second change request (PDF,128 KB).

These documents have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1 MB)

Following the ExA’s decision to accept the Applicant’s first change request (PDF, 162KB) for examination (change request 1), comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provision by midnight Thursday 24 December 2020.

Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate to the Applicant’s first change request (PDF, 7MB) only; any submissions that are not in relation to the application for Additional Land, 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 Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Portsmouth City Council (PDF, 233 KB). A Procedural Decision (PDF,124 KB) responding to the points raised by Portsmouth City Council has been published.

The Examining Authority has also exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Winchester City Council (PDF, 2MB).

The documents have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1MB).

Following the Examining Authority’s (ExA) decision to accept the Additional Land Application (PDF, 162KB) for examination, comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provision by midnight Thursday 24 December 2020.

Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate to the Applicant’s application for Additional Land (PDF, 7MB) only; any submissions that are not in relation to the application for Additional Land, 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.

For parties wishing to observe Hearings to be held during the weeks commencing 7 and 14 December 2020, here is the link to the livestream (which remains the same for all Hearings relating to this project).

For those that have registered to speak at Hearings, joining instructions will be sent by e-mail shortly before each Hearing is due to commence.

Deadline 5 submissions have been published. The Examining Authority has also exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Aggregate Industries UK Limited (PDF, 278 KB).

The Examining Authority has granted Interested Party status, under s102a, to Mr Robert Simpson (PDF, 101 KB).

These documents have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 1 MB).

Following the Examining Authority’s (ExA) decision to accept the Additional Land Application (PDF, 162KB) for examination, comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provision by midnight Thursday 24 December 2020.

Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate to the Applicant’s application for Additional Land (PDF, 7MB) only; any submissions that are not in relation to the application for Additional Land, 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 Examining Authority’s Rule 8(3) letter (PDF 175KB) has been published, giving details of changes to the Examination Timetable and providing a corrected list of persons that have become Interested Parties.

This has been added to the Examination Library (PDF 2MB).

Following the Examining Authority’s (ExA) decision to accept the Additional Land Application (PDF, 162KB) for examination, comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provision by midnight Thursday 24 December 2020.

Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate to the Applicant’s application for Additional Land (PDF, 7MB) only; any submissions that are not in relation to the application for Additional Land, 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.

Deadline 4 submissions have been published and added to the Examination Library (PDF, 932 KB).

Following the Examining Authority’s (ExA) decision to accept the Additional Land Application (PDF, 162KB) for examination, comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provision by midnight Thursday 24 December 2020.

Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate to the Applicant’s application for Additional Land (PDF, 7MB) only; any submissions that are not in relation to the application for Additional Land, 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.

Following the Examining Authority’s (ExA) decision to accept the Additional Land Application (PDF, 162KB) for examination, comments are now invited on the Applicant’s proposed provision by midnight Thursday 24 December 2020.

Please note that any comments must be made on the Registration and Relevant Representation Form and must relate to the Applicant’s application for Additional Land (PDF, 7MB) only; any submissions that are not in relation to the application for Additional Land, 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 Examining Authority has made a Procedural Decision to accept the Applicant’s proposed changes to the scheme.

The Examining Authority has also confirmed that several persons have been granted Interested Party status under s102 of the Planning Act 2008.

Copies of the letters containing further information relating to the above can be found here:

Procedural Decision to accept the Applicant’s change request (letter to the Applicant) (PDF, 114KB);

Procedural Decision to accept the Applicant’s change request (letter to all Interested Parties) (PDF, 162KB);

Confirmation of s102 parties and request for further information (PDF, 173KB).

The letters have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 891KB).

The Examining Authority has confirmed the Hearings that will be held during the week commencing 14 December 2020:

Monday 14 December 2020 at 10.00: Issue Specific Hearing 2 into Traffic, Highways and Air Quality. (PDF 160KB);

Tuesday 15 December 2020 at 10.00: Issue Specific Hearing 3 into Environmental Matters. (PDF 199KB).

The letter to Interested Parties (PDF 307KB), and Agendas, have been added to the Examination Library.

It has been necessary to publish updated agendas for some of the Hearings to be held during the week commencing 7 December 2020:

Open Floor Hearing 1 (PDF, 127KB )

Open Floor Hearing 2 (PDF, 116KB )

Issue Specific Hearing 1 (PDF, 227KB )

The agendas for Compulsory Acquisition Hearings 1 and 2 have not been amended.

Deadline 3 submissions have now been published. A note of the Unaccompanied Site Inspection (PDF, 209 KB) undertaken on 4 November 2020 has also been published. These have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 874 KB).

The agendas for the Hearings due to take place during the week commencing 7 December 2020 have now been published:

Open Floor Hearing 1 (PDF 131KB)

Open Floor Hearing 2 (PDF 119KB)

Issue Specific Hearing 1 (PDF 225KB)

Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (PDF 129KB)

Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (PDF 109KB)

These have been added to the Examination Library (PDF 773KB).

The Examining Authority has today issued two requests for further information:

Request for further information from the Applicant and Portsmouth City Council (PDF 203KB) – responses due by Deadline 3 (3 November 2020);

Request for further information from the Applicant and National Grid Electricity System Operator Ltd (PDF 160KB) – responses due by Deadline 5 (30 November 2020).

Both requests have been added to the Examination Library (PDF 771KB).

The Applicant has written to Portsmouth City Council, Penny Mordaunt MP and the Eastney and Milton Allotment Holders Association Committee (PDF, 4MB) responding to concerns set out in recent submissions. The letters have been provided to the Planning Inspectorate, they have been accepted into the Examination as Additional Submissions and added to the Examination Library (PDF, 770KB).

The Applicant has written to Penny Mordaunt MP and the Eastney and Milton Allotment Holders Association Committee (PDF, 665KB) responding to concerns set out in recent submissions. The letters have been provided to the Planning Inspectorate, they have been accepted into the Examination as Additional Submissions and added to the Examination Library (PDF, 852KB).

Deadline 2 submissions have been published and added to the Examination Library (PDF, 851KB).

The Examining Authority has exceptionally exercised its discretion to accept a large number of Deadline 1 submissions from people who have not registered as Interested Parties into the Examination. All such submissions received up to and including 12 October 2020 have been accepted and have been combined into a PDF Portfolio:

Volume 1 (PDF, 49 MB);

Volume 2 (PDF, 13 MB);

Volume 3 (PDF, 8 MB);

Volume 4 (PDF, 2 MB);

Volume 5 (PDF, 17 MB).

These have been added to the Examination Library. (PDF, 837 KB)

If you are unable to access these documents, please try downloading them and then opening.

The Examining Authority has today written to the Applicant seeking further information (PDF, 179 KB) under Rule 17 of the Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010. This information is due by Deadline 3 (3 November 2020).

Submissions received for Deadline 1 from the Applicant and Interested Parties have now been published.

Please note that we have received a high volume of submissions from non-registered parties. The Examining Authority is considering whether to exercise its discretion to accept them into the Examination. If accepted, they will be published as soon as possible.

The Applicant has submitted low resolution versions of documents that have previously been submitted.

These have been accepted by the Examining Authority as Additional Submissions. The documents have been added to the Examination Library (PDF, 622 KB), and can be found beneath the original documents. For example, Land Plans (APP-008) now has the low resolution version with the reference number (APP-008(a)) beneath. The full list of low resolution documents can be found in the cover letter (PDF, 145 KB), which is Examination Library reference AS-046.

The Examining Authority’s Rule 8 letter (PDF, 424kb) has been published, giving details of the Examination Timetable and other important information about the Examination.

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

Procedural decision following Preliminary Meeting.

The recording of the Preliminary Meeting (Part 2) has been published and added to the Examination Library (PDF 538KB).

Examination begins

Instructions for those wishing to participate in the resumption of the Preliminary Meeting have been sent.

For those wishing to observe the resumption in real time, the event will be livestreamed. Please note that the link will become ’live’ at 10.00 on Tuesday 8 September 2020.

Submissions for Procedural Deadline B have now been published and added to the Examination Library (PDF 538kb).

The recording of the Preliminary Meeting (Part 1) has been published and added to the Examination Library. (PDF 534kb) Any written responses to matters discussed during the Meeting can be submitted by Procedural Deadline B (Tuesday 1 September 2020)

Instructions for those wishing to participate in the Preliminary Meeting have been sent. For those wishing to observe the Preliminary Meeting in real time, the event will be livestreamed.

Please note that the event will become ’live’ once it opens at 10.00 on Tuesday 18 August 2020.

We would remind those observing the Preliminary Meeting that there is an opportunity to provide any written responses to matters raised there by Procedural Deadline B (1 September 2020).

Preliminary Meeting takes place

The Examining Authority would like to thank those who provided written submissions by Procedural Deadline A. These have been very helpful ahead of the Preliminary Meeting (PM), which will open at 10.00 on Tuesday 18 August 2020.

For those that have indicated a wish to speak on specific agenda items, instructions on how to join the meeting will be issued by email on Monday 17 August 2020.

For those that would like to view the PM in real time, the link to the livestream will be published on this project web page on Monday 17 August 2020.

Those participating or observing the PM should familiarise themselves with the replacement Rule 6 letter, dated 3 July 2020. It is particularly important to read Annex F, which provides an introduction to the PM, as this will not be covered in detail in the meeting.

Submissions for Procedural Deadline A have now been published and added to the Examination Library.

The Examining Authority has recently conducted further Unaccompanied Site Inspections (USI6 & USI7). Notes from these visits have been added to the Examination Library.

The Examining Authority’s Rule 6 letter has been published, providing details of the Preliminary Meeting and the revised draft timetable for the examination of the application. The ExA’s Written Questions (ExQ1) have also been published.

This letter replaces the information given in the previous Rule 6 letter, dated 5 March 2020.

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.

The Examining Authority (ExA) has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Winchester City Council.

Additionally, the ExA has carried out further Unaccompanied Site Inspections:

Unaccompanied Site Inspection 3
Unaccompanied Site Inspection 4
Unaccompanied Site Inspection 5

These documents have been added to the Examination Library.

The Examining Authority has issued a Progress Note, to update Interested Persons on its latest position and to request further information from all Interested Parties, in the form of a Questionnaire, to help seek views on the way in which the application should be examined.

The deadline for questionnaire responses is 1 June 2020.

The Progress Note, and Questionnaire, have been added to the Examination Library

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Portsmouth City Council. This has been added to the Examination Library.

The Examining Authority (ExA) has exercised its discretion to accept Additional Submissions from the Applicant. These consist of supporting documents to accompany the s35 Direction request, which the ExA requested in its letter dated 5 March 2020. The documents have been added to the Examination Library.

In light of Government advice relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Examining Authority (ExA) has issued a Procedural Decision to postpone the Preliminary Meeting (PM) in order to avoid non-essential travel and large gatherings. The PM that was scheduled to be held on Wednesday 22 April 2020 at the Village Hotel in Cosham, Portsmouth will now not take place on that day.

Additionally, the ExA has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from the Winchester City Council.

In light of Government advice relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Examining Authority (ExA) has issued a Procedural Decision to postpone the Preliminary Meeting (PM) in order to avoid non-essential travel and large gatherings. The PM that was scheduled to be held on Wednesday 22 April 2020 at the Village Hotel in Cosham, Portsmouth will now not take place on that day.

Additionally, the ExA has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

The Procedural Decision, and MMO Additional Submission, have been added to the Examination Library.

IMPORTANT: As a result of ongoing Government guidance relating to COVID-19 the Planning Inspectorate is seeking to ensure that all Parties are notified of key developments on projects, in a timely manner. In order to help achieve this, and to minimise any delays which could arise if the postal service is affected, it would be extremely helpful if registered Parties that have not already done so could supply us with a contact e-mail address as soon as possible (details in the contact information heading of the project page).

Please be assured that this information will be managed in line with our Privacy Notice.

The Examining Authority carried out Unaccompanied Site Inspections on Tuesday 25 February 2020 and Wednesday 26 February 2020. These will be added to the Examination Library shortly.

IMPORTANT: In the light of the current public health situation surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19), if you are planning to attend the Preliminary Meeting Wednesday 22 April 2020 please check this website, and that of the venue (The Village Hotel, Portsmouth) regularly and before travelling to the event. If there are any changes or cancellations required to the Preliminary Meeting this page will be updated as soon as possible. Advice is available and you are requested to please take careful note of it.

The Examining Authority carried out Unaccompanied Site Inspections on Tuesday 25 February 2020 and Wednesday 26 February 2020. These will be added to the Examination Library shortly.

Relevant representations published on the website

Registration of interested parties closes

Registration of interested parties begins

The application has been accepted for examination

This application was received by the Planning Inspectorate on 14 November 2019.

The application documents will be made available 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 DCLG pre-application).

Application received by the Planning Inspectorate

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