The Development Process

Great North Road Solar Park is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) owing to its generation capacity.

The Planning Process

Great North Road Solar Park is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) because it would generate more than 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity. 

The 2008 Planning Act defines the consent regime for an NSIP.  It requires that we apply for a Development Consent Order (DCO), which we will submit to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) rather than the local planning authority.

PINS, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), will carefully examine our proposals. After this examination, PINS will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State on whether to grant consent for the development. Consent will be determined by the Secretary of State.

Click here to learn more about the DCO process.

Stages of the NSIP Application Process

1) Pre-Application

2) Acceptance

3) Pre-Examination

4) Examination

5) Recommendation and Decision

6) Post Decision

Pre-application Consultation

Early and ongoing engagement is a cornerstone of our development process

Community consultation forms an important part of the pre-application process for NSIPs. Early and ongoing engagement will influence the evolving design of GNR Solar Park. Local councils, residents and community groups all have an important part to play.

For our DCO application to be accepted, we need to satisfy the Planning Inspectorate that pre-application consultation has been carried out in accordance with the relevant legislation.

Our final application will include a Consultation Report setting out how feedback has helped to inform and influence our final proposals.

We anticipate holding at least two phases of consultation, including:

  • A first non-statutory phase of consultation when we will invite feedback on our early plans for the project

  • A second statutory phase of consultation on our detailed proposals, as required by the 2008 Planning Act.

Click here to learn more about the consultation.

Project Timeline

November
2023

  • The EIA Scoping Request is an initial step in which PINS is asked to provide feedback on the scope and level of detail that should be included in the Environmental Statement (ES) when the application is submitted. The ES will assess, evaluate and mitigate the potential effects of the proposed development on the environment.

Early
2024

  • The purpose of this consultation is to introduce Elements Green, present our early proposals for GNR Solar Park, and give you the opportunity to provide feedback. All comments will be reviewed and considered by the project team.

Summer
2024

  • We will consult with relevant local planning authorities to invite their views on the approach we intend to take to engage with and obtain feedback from local communities on our detailed proposes for GNR Solar Park. This will be set out in our Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) which will be published just ahead of the second stage of consultation (statutory).

Autumn
2024

  • During this statutory stage of consultation, we will invite your views on the more detailed project proposals. Following this consultation, all the feedback received will be reviewed along with the findings from our ongoing assessments to shape our final DCO application.

Spring
2025

  • Final DCO application submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. After reviewing our application the Planning Inspectorate will decide if it can proceed to the examination stage.

2025 / 2026

  • The Planning Inspectorate will hold an examination. When this finishes, it has three months to make its recommendation to the Secretary of State as to whether the application should be approved.

    The Secretary of State then has three months to make a final decision on whether to grant consent for the scheme.

Spring
2027

  • Subject to our application being approved we anticipate construction would begin around 2027.

*Please note this timeline is indicative and may be subject to change