What happens next
The Examining Authority issued a Recommendation Report to the Secretary of State on 28 June 2023. The Secretary of State has set a new deadline for the decision for this application which is 07 December 2023.
Timeline (83 items)
The Secretary of State has decided to re-set the statutory deadline for this application to 7 December 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.
Responses to the Secretary of State’s invitation to Interested Parties to comment on the information provided in response to his information request of 23 August 2023 have been published.
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 [email protected]
The Deadline for comments is 23:59 on 13 September 2023
The Secretary of State has today invited Interested Parties to comment on the information provided in response to his information request of 23 August 2023. Comments should be submitted by email to [email protected]
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 [email protected].
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.
The Secretary of State has today issued a letter to the Applicant, Historic England, Suffolk County Council and Cambridge County Council (PDF, 176KB) requesting information. The deadline for response is 23:59 on 30 August 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 [email protected] 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.
The Secretary of State has today invited Interested Parties to comment on the information provided in response to his information request of 27 July 2023
Comments should be submitted by email to [email protected]
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.
The following two documents were sent to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on 25 July 2023 and have been published on our website:
The Secretary of State’s Consultation Letter to the Applicant and Natural England (PDF, 144KB) was published and issued 27 July 2023.
The Secretary of State has today issued a letter to the Applicant and Natural England (PDF, 144 KB) requesting information.
The deadline for response is 23:59 on 10 August 2023.
The Examination closed at 23:59 on 28 March 2023 and the Examining Authority’s Notification of the completion of the Examination (PDF, 129 KB) has been published.
The Deadline 11 submissions have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1MB) has been updated.
The Examination closed at 23:59 on 28 March 2023 and the Examining Authority’s Notification of the completion of the Examination (PDF, 129 KB) has been published.
The Deadline 11 submissions will be published as soon as possible.
The Deadline 10 Submissions have been published.
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.
The examination is due to close at 23:59 on Tuesday 28th March.
The Examining Authority has issued a letter (PDF, 159KB) requesting further information from the Applicant and Dr Fordham.
The Examining Authority has accepted at their discretion an Additional Submission from Cadent Gas Limited (PDF, 146KB) withdrawing their objection.
The Deadline 9 Submissions have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1MB) has been updated.
The Deadline 8 submissions have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 1MB) has been updated.
The following documents have been published:
- 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.
The Deadline 7 submissions have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 263KB) has been updated.
The Examining Authority has issued a letter (PDF, 153KB) which amends the Examination Timetable (Rule 8(3)).
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.
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the resumed Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (CAH1), Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (CAH2) and Issue Specific Hearing 4 (ISH4) during the week commencing 13 February 2023 have been sent. For those wishing to observe any of the Hearings in real time please use the following livestream link: https://iframe.dacast.com/live/0406afb8-7aa9-6a38-26c4-1fd34827a868/1ef80cae-839a-dfe4-07d2-89114d319b9c
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: [email protected] or 0303 444 5000
The Examining Authority has used its discretion to accept further Additional Submissions from the Applicant.
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the resumed Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (CAH1), Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (CAH2) and Issue Specific Hearing 4 (ISH4) during the week commencing 13 February 2023 have been sent. For those wishing to observe any of the Hearings in real time please use the following livestream link: https://iframe.dacast.com/live/0406afb8-7aa9-6a38-26c4-1fd34827a868/1ef80cae-839a-dfe4-07d2-89114d319b9c
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: [email protected] or 0303 444 5000
The Examining Authority has used its discretion to accept further Additional Submissions from the Applicant.
The following documents have been published:
- 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.
The following documents have been published:
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.
The following documents have been published :
- 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.
The Examining Authority has issued a Procedural Decision (PDF, 171 KB) regarding the Applicant’s change request of 13 January 2023 and change to the Examination timetable.
The Deadline 5 submissions have been published.
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.
The Examining Authority’s second Written Questions (PDF, 457KB) have been published. The Deadline for responses is 13 January 2023.
The Examination Library (PDF, 717KB) has been updated.
The Deadline 4 submissions and an Additional Submission from the Applicant (PDF, 78KB) have been published. The Examination Library has been updated.
The Examining Authority has issued a Procedural Decision (PDF, 143 KB) regarding the Applicant’s intention to submit a request to make further changes to the application.
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
The Examining Authority has issued a Procedural Decision (PDF, 143 KB) regarding the Applicant’s intention to submit a request to make further changes to the application.
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.
The Examining Authority has issued a Procedural Decision (PDF, 143 KB) regarding the Applicant’s intention to submit a request to make further changes to the application.
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.
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (CAH1), Open Floor Hearings (OFH1 and OFH2) and Issue Specific Hearings (ISH2 and ISH3) during the week commencing 5 December 2022 have been sent. 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: [email protected] 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.
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (CAH1), Open Floor Hearings (OFH1 and OFH2) and Issue Specific Hearings (ISH2 and ISH3) during the week commencing 5 December 2022 have been sent.
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: [email protected] 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.
The detailed Agendas for the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (CAH1 (PDF, 174 KB)), Issue Specific Hearings (ISH2 (PDF, 144 KB) and ISH3 (PDF, 144 KB)) and Open Floor Hearings (OFH1 and OFH2 (PDF, 204 KB)) have been published. If you have been included in the List of Speakers for OFH1 or OFH2 but no longer wish to speak please can you let the Case Team know as soon as possible.
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.
The Deadline 3 Submissions have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 507 KB) has been updated.
The Examining Authority has issued a letter (PDF, 204 KB) which amends the Examination Timetable (Rule 8(3)).
The Examination Library (PDF, 243 KB) has been updated.
The Deadline 2 Submissions have been published.
The Examination Library will be updated shortly.
The joint Local Impact Report Appendices and the Applicant’s Notice of Hearings (PDF, 184 KB) have been published. The Exam Library will be updated shortly.
The Examining Authority has issued a letter (PDF, 231 KB) which amends the Examination Timetable (Rule 8(3)) and provides notification of the date, time and place fixed for Hearings in December (Rule 13).
The recordings, transcripts and Action Points from the Issue Specific Hearing on the draft Development Consent Order (ISH1) have now been published.
The Examination Library has been updated.
Due to the weather conditions the Examining Authority has decided to rearrange the Accompanied Site Inspection (ASI3) scheduled for today, Thursday 3 November 2022. The Site Inspection will now start at 13:30 (meeting at 13:15pm) at Red Lodge Sports Pavilion, Hundred Acre Way, Red Lodge, Bury St Edmunds IP28 8FQ. The itinerary will be adjusted accordingly and will include an Inspection at La Hogue Farm (viewpoint 5 on the Final Itinerary (PDF, 898 KB)) and Chippenham Park (viewpoints 2 and 3). Other viewpoints may be visited dependant on weather conditions.
If you have any queries please contact the Case Team: [email protected]
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the Issue Specific Hearing on the draft Development Consent Order (ISH1) on Tuesday 1 November 2022 have been sent.
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: [email protected] or 0303 444 5000.
The Examining Authority’s final itinerary (PDF, 898 KB) for the Accompanied Site Inspections (ASI) – Wednesday 2 November 2022 (ASI2) and Thursday 3 November 2022 (ASI3) have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 660 KB) has been updated.
Deadline 1 Submissions have been published.
The Examination Library will be updated shortly.
The following documents have been published:
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: [email protected]
The Examination Timetable (Rule 8 letter) has been sent to Interested Parties
Procedural decision following Preliminary Meeting
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the resumed Preliminary Meeting (PM) on Wednesday 28 September 2022 have been sent. For those wishing to observe the resumed PM in real time please use the following livestream link: https://player.vimeo.com/video/751618195?h=8c2abb121b
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: [email protected] or 0303 444 5000.
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the resumed Preliminary Meeting (PM) on Wednesday 28 September 2022 have been sent. For those wishing to observe the resumed PM in real time please use the following livestream link: https://player.vimeo.com/video/751618195?h=8c2abb121b
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: [email protected] or 0303 444 5000.
The Examining Authority’s final itinerary (PDF, 158KB) for the Accompanied Site Inspection (ASI1) on Thursday 29 September 2022 has been published.
The Procedural Deadline C submissions , including the Applicant’s response to the Examining Authority’s letter of 8 September 2022, have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 363KB) has been updated.
The Examining Authority has today issued a letter to the Applicant requesting further information and clarification on various matters relating to the Change Request of 30 August 2022 (PDF, 153 KB).
The Examining Authority has today issued a Procedural Decision (PDF, 328 KB) to invite parties to the resumed Preliminary Meeting (PM) and provide notification of an Accompanied Site Inspection (ASI1).
The Applicant’s Change Request and supporting documents have been published.
The Examination Library will be updated in due course.
The Procedural Deadline B Submissions have been published.
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.
The Procedural Deadline B Submissions have been published.
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.
The recordings and transcript of the Preliminary Meeting on Tuesday 26 July 2022 have now been published; due to their size they have each been divided into three parts:
- 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).
The Examining Authority has today issued a Procedural Decision (PDF, 172 KB) concerning their decision to adjourn the Preliminary Meeting on Tuesday 26 July 2022 and delay the start of the Examination.
The Examination Library will be updated in due course.
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the Preliminary Meeting (PM) on Tuesday 26 July 2022 have been sent. For those wishing to observe the PM in real time please use the following livestream link: link removed.
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: [email protected] 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)
The Examining Authority has made a Procedural Decision to postpone the Issue Specific Hearing (ISH1) and Open Floor Hearings (OFH 1 and 2) on 27 and 28 July 2022. Please see the Procedural Decision for further details. The Preliminary Meeting on 26 July 2022 will start as detailed in the Rule 6 letter, (PDF, 434KB) and joining and registration details will be sent to Interested Parties who have pre-registered their attendance shortly.
If you have any questions, please contact us: [email protected]
Due to a technical issue some Procedural Deadline A submissions, submitted through the ‘Make a submission’ tab, were not received by the Case Team. The issue has now been resolved and the affected Procedural Deadline A submissions have now been published. We apologise for any inconvenience.
The Procedural Deadline A Submissions for Sunnica Energy Farm have been published. The Examination Library will be updated shortly.
The notification of Preliminary Meeting (Rule 6 letter) has been sent Read the letter
The letter also includes the draft Examination Timetable and Initial Assessment of Principal Issues.
The Applicant has submitted a copy of its notice of public exhibitions (PDF, 132 KB) relating to the ongoing consultation which has been accepted by the Examining Authority as an Additional Submission. Please ensure that your response to the consultation is sent to the Applicant and not to the Planning Inspectorate.
The Applicant has submitted a copy of its Consultation Notice (PDF, 101KB), which has been accepted by the Examining Authority as an Additional Submission. Please ensure that your response to the consultation is sent to the Applicant and not to the Planning Inspectorate.
The following documents have been published on the website:
- 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.
The Examining Authority has today issued a letter (PDF, 134KB) regarding the responses received to its letter of 4 May 2022 (PDF,147KB).
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.
The Examining Authority has today issued a letter (PDF, 147 KB) requesting comments by 23:59 Wednesday 18 May on the Applicant’s response (PDF, 303 KB) to the Examining Authority’s letter of 22 April 2022 (PDF, 164 KB).
The date included in the Examining Authority’s letter of 22 April 2022 as a deadline for Interested Parties and Affected Persons to provide comments on the Applicant’s response to the ExA’s letter by (9 May 2022) is no longer in place. We apologise for any inconvenience.
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.
The Relevant Representation from Ellen Clowes was not published until today due to an internal error. It was received before the 17 March 2022 deadline.
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.
Relevant Representations have been published and can be found under the Relevant Representations tab.
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.
After serving notice of the accepted application, as required under section 56 of the Planning Act 2008, the Applicant identified updated contact details for various organisations. As such, the Applicant has re-served notice to the most appropriate person for those organisations to provide them with additional time to submit their representations and register to become an Interested Party. The Deadline for those parties only to submit a representation is 23:59 on 1 April 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 [email protected] or telephone 0303 444 5000.
This application was received by the Planning Inspectorate on 18 November 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).
