What happens next
A decision on the application for a Development Consent Order for Thorpe Marsh Gas Pipeline was taken on 03 March 2016 and has now been issued.
The period for legal challenge is defined in s118 of the Planning Act 2008. Further information about legal challenge can be found in the letter sent to all Interested Parties accompanying the Secretary of State’s decision and statement of reasons.
If you have any queries about the process please email the Planning Inspectorate at [email protected] or telephone the helpline on 0303 444 5000.
Timeline (29 items)

The Secretary of State has granted development consent for this application. Please refer to the following decision documentation:
Decision Documentation
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change’s Decision Letter and Statement of Reasons
Development Consent Order as made by the Secretary of State
Examining Authority’s Recommendation Report
Examining Authority’s report and appendices
Other Documentation


Responses to the Secretary of State’s letter, dated 29 December 2015, have been published.

The Secretary of State has sent a letter, and invited responses to questions. Any responses must be received by 12 January 2016.



A letter varying the timetable for the examination, the Examining Authority’s second written questions, and the Examining Authority’s draft Development Consent Order have been published.

Documents received for Deadline 3 (26 June 2015) including submissions received prior and at the hearings held on 17 June 2015 have now been published.

Actions arising from the Issue Specific Hearing on Draft Development Consent Order (DCO) and the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing held on 17 June 2015 have now been published.

The audio recordings from the Issue Specific Hearing on draft Development Consent Order (DCO) and Compulsory Acquisition Hearing have now been published.
The Examining Authority used its discretion to accept submissions made to hearings on 17 June 2015 including a joint statement between National Grid and the Applicant and a submission from the Highways England including response to the ExA’s first written questions.

Submission received for Deadline 2, Agendas for Issue Specific Hearing on draft Development Consent Order (DCO) and Compulsory Acquisition Hearing on 17 June 2015 have now been published.

Agendas for the Issue Specific Hearing on the draft Development Consent Order (DCO) and the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing have now been published.

Documents received for Deadline 1 (20 May 2015) including Local Impact Reports from the local planning authorities have now been published.

Rule 8 letter, Examining Authority’s written questions and documents accepted into the Examination (see Annex C of the Rule 8 letter) have now been published.

The Examination Timetable (Rule 8 letter) has been sent to Interested Parties
Procedural decision following Preliminary Meeting

An audio recording and a meeting note from the Preliminary Meeting on 22 April 2015 has now been published.

- Preliminary Meeting takes place
- Examination begins

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 application by Thorpe Marsh Power Ltd for the Thorpe Marsh Gas Pipeline was accepted for examination on 12 December 2014.
All related documents have now been published including the acceptance decision letter and advice issued alongside it, the ‘Acceptance of Applications Checklist‘ and the adequacy of consultation representations from local authorities.


This application was received by the Planning Inspectorate on 19 November 2014 after 5pm; in line with Advice Note 6: ‘Preparation and submission of application documents’, applications received after 5pm will be treated as if they arrived on the following day. The 28 days acceptance period will therefore begin today, 20 November 2014. A decision whether or not to accept the application for examination must be made by 18 December 2014.
The applicant has agreed that all application documents can be published as soon as practicable upon submission to help everyone become familiar with the detail of what is being proposed in this application.
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 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 relevant representation stage and the subsequent examination.
