Consultation
Pre-Application Process
Phase One (Non-Statutory) Consultation
This first stage of consultation is non-statutory. While not formally required, it is intended to give local communities a real opportunity to influence the proposed development from an early stage to gain a better understanding of what we are proposing and its potential impacts.
Our phase one consultation ran from 16 January 2024 to 27 February 2024. The purpose of this consultation was to introduce Elements Green and the overall Development, share our early-stage proposals and give you the opportunity to have your say, share your views and local knowledge. The feedback received during this initial phase of consultation has helped to inform and shape the ongoing design of the proposals.
Phase Two (Statutory) Consultation
Further to developing more detailed proposals, we carried out a second phase of consultation. This is a statutory phase of consultation and is required by the application process for NSIPs.
This statutory phase of consultation was intended to give you the opportunity to comment on our updated proposals and how they have evolved since the initial consultation. We will use the feedback we receive to inform and shape a strong set of proposals that are sensitive to and respect the concerns of local communities.
We acknowledged and recorded all the comments submitted to us during consultation, and took them into consideration to when finalising our proposals.
As the developer, we have a duty to demonstrate how we have taken your views into account in developing our final application.
Targeted Consultation
Following the close of Phase Two Consultation, we continued to refine our proposals for GNR Solar and Biodiversity Park in preparation for submitting a DCO application. This refinement was informed by further design work and due diligence, consideration of consultation feedback, and responding to the results and data from environmental assessment.
This resulted in a series of specific amendments to the Draft Order Limits – increases – compared to the Draft Order Limits presented in the PEIR and for Phase Two consultation. A targeted consultation was held between 8 May and 6 June on these specific additions.
Consultation Report
The Consultation Report [EN010162/APP/5.1], including a series of appendices, documents the pre-application consultation process carried out and sets out how this is complied with relevant legislation and requirements. Importantly, it also describes how the Development has been adjusted or influenced in response to feedback. The Consultation Report includes tables of responses and the Applicant’s replies, demonstrating a transparent consultation record.
Examination Process
The Examination schedule has been formally publicised following the release of the Rule 6 Letter. Please click here to view the Rule 6 Letter.
The Examination will officially commence following the Preliminary Meeting on Wednesday 26 November 2025. The Preliminary Meeting will focus on how the Examination will be conducted, including the proposed timetable, the format of hearings, and key procedural decisions.
If you wish to participate or observe the Preliminary Meeting, full details of the process are outlined in the Rule 6 Letter. We encourage all interested parties to review the letter and get involved in the Examination.
If you require assistance to register your attendance either virtually or in person, please contact the Case Team at GreatNorthRoadSolar@planninginspectorate.gov.uk or by calling 0303 444 5000. The Planning Inspectorate reference for the Application (EN010162) should be quoted in any correspondence.
The Examination can take up to six months, after which the Examining Authority will have three months to write and submit a recommendation report to the Secretary of State, to inform their decision on whether to grant consent for the project to be built (which will follow up to three months following this receipt of the recommendation report). A final decision on the plans is expected to take place in late 2026.
Further details of our application and of the Examination can be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s website for Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park. There you will find the Examination timetable, as well as the Examination library.
In the meantime, you can continue to contact our team with any questions you might have using the details below.