The Planning Process

Owing to the wide range of projects which can be considered Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), there are different thresholds which determine when a project is ‘Nationally Significant’. Energy projects in England that have a generating capacity of 50 MW or greater are NSIPs and are required to obtain approval via the Development Consent Order (DCO) process rather than the local planning regime.

The DCO process gives local residents more of a say, as there are more rules and regulations around consultation for NSIPs than there are local planning applications. We will be holding an initial non-statutory consultation period, ahead of a formal statutory consultation.

After holding consultation and refining the proposals, anyone intending to construct an NSIP must submit an application to the Planning Inspectorate for a DCO.

The Planning Inspectorate will appoint a panel to examine the application and will provide a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNEZ), who ultimately makes the decision.

If approved, consent is issued in the form of a Development Consent Order (DCO). Further details on this process may be found on the Planning Inspectorate website at the link on the button below.

  • NSIP stands for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. It is a type of infrastructure project that is considered to be of national significance. These projects require a special planning and approval process to be granted a Development Consent Order (DCO) under the Planning Act 2008.

  • Energy generating projects in England that have a generating capacity of 50MW or greater are NSIPs and are required to obtain approval via the DCO process rather than the TCPA regime.

  • As an NSIP, the project requires a specific type of consent called "development consent," which follows procedures outlined in the Planning Act 2008.

    Anyone intending to construct an NSIP must first apply to the Planning Inspectorate for a DCO. The Planning Inspectorate will appoint a panel to examine the application and will provide a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNEZ), who ultimately makes the decision. If granted, consent is issued in the form of a statutory instrument called Development Consent Order (DCO).

  • The DCO process includes a statutory requirement for applicants to consult with stakeholders and the community prior to submitting an application. The length of time available for the community to provide its feedback is generally longer than that of the TCPA process.  In our DCO Application, we are required to summarise the feedback received and how it has had regard to the responses received.

    We are also electing to hold Community Liaison Groups in advance of the formal consultation to seek early views and feedback on project proposals.

    Once an application has been submitted, there will be further opportunities for stakeholders and the public to participate in the examination process as an Interested Party.  Interested Parties may submit written representations as well as oral submissions at any open floor hearings.

The Consultation process

  • The first part will consist of an extended non-statutory consultation, with feedback collected via a Community Liaison Group (CLG). This process has been carefully prepared to recognise that the community has already given feedback on the previous proposals on these sites. By focussing feedback via the CLG, we aim to streamline engagement and consultation, keeping it proportionate to minimise consultation fatigue.

  • Prior to submitting an application to the Planning Inspectorate, we will conduct our second, statutory consultation phase. This is mandatory and will involve several consultation elements, such as public exhibitions, mailings to local residents, website updates, and feedback forms, in compliance with the requirements of the Planning Act (2008).

We will be reaching out again ahead of the statutory consultation to inform you how you can provide your feedback and engage with the consultation. Further information will be available on this page.

All consultation materials will be made available to view and download on the Documents page.

Community Liaison Group

We will undertake a non-statutory consultation and collate feedback via a Community Liaison Group (CLG). The community has already given feedback on previous proposals at these sites. By focusing feedback via the CLG, we hope to streamline engagement and consultation and minimise consultation fatigue.

The CLG will bring together representatives from the community to meet with the project team at regular intervals. We have set up the CLG with local political stakeholders and community groups, including your ward councillors and parish councils. The aim of the CLG is to provide an initial forum for the exchange of information and a platform through which representatives of the community can contribute to the design and integration of Hedgehog Grove Solar Farm into the local community.

Membership of the CLG is on an invitational basis. We will extend invitations to community representatives, who may have an interest in the project’s approach and delivery. Residents will be able to provide comments directly via the methods outlined at the end of this brochure. Meetings with the CLG will occur regularly throughout the non-statutory and statutory consultation periods.

Any issues and concerns can be raised through the CLG during the non-statutory consultation period. If you have are part of a group which would be interested in joining our CLG, please email us at clg@hedgehoggrovesolarfarm.co.uk

Statutory Consultation

Prior to submitting an application to the Planning Inspectorate, we will conduct our second, statutory consultation phase. This will include public exhibitions, mailings to local residents, website updates, and stakeholder briefings, in compliance with the requirements of the Planning Act (2008).

We will work closely with the local authorities, namely Uttlesford District Council, Braintree District Council, and Essex County Council. We will develop and publish a Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) in collaboration with these authorities and relevant stakeholders. The SoCC will be prepared, consulted upon, and published ahead of the consultation itself.

Please check back on this page for further information closer to the time. We will provide plenty of notice of the statutory consultation and how you can get involved.