Next steps
This consultation has now closed. We are carefully considering all the feedback received alongside our technical, engineering and environmental work, with the aim of developing our final design envelope for North Falls.
While we will not be able to respond to all feedback individually at this stage, we will address all the issues and themes raised in response to this and previous consultations in our Consultation Report.
This will be submitted as part of our application for a DCO to the Secretary of State, via the Planning Inspectorate, in accordance with the Planning Act 2008.
Glossary
Certain terms are written in green throughout this website and in our brochure. Explanations of these terms are included in an online glossary.
View glossaryThe final design envelope for our DCO submission will consist of our onshore and offshore project area, which will continue to include:
- Our offshore array area, where the WTGs, subsea export cables and offshore substation platform(s) are located
- Our onshore project area, including the onshore cable route, onshore substation, and other associated infrastructure
The exact layout of the Project’s infrastructure within the Project’s proposed onshore DCO boundary will not be finalised until the Project has been granted consent by the Secretary of State. Due to the complexity of the Project, some details will likely remain unknown to us at the time of submitting our application, including the:
- Precise number, location and configuration of the WTGs, offshore substation platform(s), and any associated development
- Type of foundation to install the WTGs and any associated development
- Exact height of the tip of the turbine rotors and the diameter of the rotors
Once we have developed our final design envelope, we will submit an application for development consent to the Planning Inspectorate and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). We expect to submit our application later this year.
Amongst a number of other documents, our application will include:
- A Consultation Report summarising people’s responses to all our consultations and an explanation of how we have taken people’s views into account
- An Environmental Statement setting out the environmental considerations for the Project and how we propose to mitigate them
The Planning Inspectorate will examine our proposals and prepare a report for the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will then make the final decision on the Project’s application.
We are unlikely to carry out any further consultation on our proposals ahead of submitting our application for development consent to the Planning Inspectorate. However, subject to our application being accepted you will be able to directly register your interest in our proposals with the Planning Inspectorate.
This will ensure you are kept informed about the progress of our application during the Examination process and provide further opportunities to contribute. You can find out more about the application process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) on the Planning Inspectorate’s websites: infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk
PROJECT TIMELINE
(MARCH-APRIL 2024)
The Project carries out a further stage of targeted consultation to gather feedback on proposed localised changes to the Project’s design.
(SUMMER 2024)
The Project submits its DCO application, including its Consultation Report and Environmental Statement, to the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State, has 28 days to decide whether the application meets the required standards to proceed to Examination.
At this point you will be able to register as an interested party, which means you will be kept informed of the Project’s progress and opportunities to share your views in a process led by the Planning Inspectorate. Inspectors assigned by the Planning Inspectorate will hold a Preliminary Meeting and set the timetable for Examination.
The Planning Inspectorate will examine the DCO application, with input from interested parties and statutory consultees. At this point you will be able to provide comments in writing or request to speak at a public hearing. The Planning Inspectorate has six months to carry out the Examination.
A recommendation to the Secretary of State will be issued by the Planning Inspectorate within three months of the Examination stage concluding. The Secretary of State then has a further three months to issue a decision on the proposal.
Following the Secretary of State’s decision there will be a six-week judicial review period for any potential legal challenge.
We currently anticipate phased construction taking a maximum of five years, beginning with pre-construction works expected to take place from 2027.
North Falls is expected to be operational by the end of the decade.
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