Byers Gill Solar Farm, Notification Of Public Hearings For Development Consent Order

Notification of Issue-Specific and Open Floor Hearings under Rule 13(6) of the Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010

Byers Gill Solar Development Consent Order

Sections 91 and 93 of the Planning Act 2008

Rule 13(6) of the Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010

1. NOTICE OF HEARINGS RELATING TO BYERS GILL SOLAR

1.1 Notice is hereby given that at the dates, times and locations set out below, three issue specific hearings and a compulsory acquisition hearing will be held by the Examining Authority (appointed by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (“the Secretary of State”)) for the examination of the application made by RWE by RWE Renewables UK Solar and Storage Limited (registered company number: 14539260) of Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon, Wiltshire, England, SN5 6PB (“the Applicant”).

1.2 The application was made to the Secretary of State (via the Planning Inspectorate) under section 37(2) of the Planning Act 2008 on 9 February 2024 and was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate for examination on 8 March 2024. The Application has been given the Planning Inspectorate reference number: EN010139.

2. SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

2.1 Byers Gill Solar consists of a solar farm capable of generating over 50MW Alternating Current (AC) of electricity with co-located battery energy storage system (“BESS”), located between Darlington and Stockton-on-Tees in north-east England (the “Proposed Development”). The Proposed Development is approximately 490ha and comprises six Panel Areas (groups of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels) (Panel Areas A-F). The solar PV panels would be mounted on a metal frame in groups, fixed in position with panels facing south. An on-site substation would be located within Panel Area C.

2.2 The Proposed Development includes up to 32.5km of 33kilovolt (kV) underground cabling between the Panel Areas and the on-site substation, as well as approximately 10km of 132kV underground cable to connect the Proposed Development to the grid connection at the existing Norton substation (located to the north-west of Stockton-on-Tees). This cabling could be placed either within roads or through off-road options.

2.3 A range of supporting infrastructure is required for the Proposed Development, comprising: BESS; transformers and inverters; storage containers to hold this equipment; and security measures such as fencing, CCTV and lighting.

2.4 As the Proposed Development would be able to generate over 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity, it is considered to be a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) which requires consent through the Development Consent Order (DCO) process. This is an application made to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) and decided by the Secretary of State (SoS) in accordance with the Planning Act 2008.

2.5 A map showing the location of the Proposed Development can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website at the following address:

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010139/

2.6 The DCO, if granted, would enable the acquisition new rights over land and contain powers for the possession and use of land on a temporary basis (to facilitate the construction of the Proposed Development). The DCO would also authorise the construction of temporary and permanent accesses to the Proposed Development, the temporary stopping up or diversion of public rights of way, street works and highway works, and the application and disapplication of certain legislation.

3. HEARINGS

3.1 The Examining Authority’s Rule 13 letter, dated 29 October 2024, provides notification that the following hearings into the application are to be held at the dates and times set out in the table below.

3.2 All hearings will be held as blended events both in-person at the Dolphin Centre, Horse Market, Darlington, DL1 5RP and virtually on Microsoft Teams.

3.3 Live streams will also be provided for each hearing and the link for this will be available on the National Infrastructure Portal page of the Planning Inspectorate’s website for the Byers Gill Solar project:

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010139/

3.4 The hearing venue is fully accessible, and any further information about accessibility or reasonable adjustments may be requested from the Planning Inspectorate using the contact details provided in Section 4 of this notice.

3.7 Any hearings further to those listed above will be advertised by one or more further notices. In accordance with Rule 13(3) of Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010, as amended, the Planning Inspectorate will also notify interested parties of the date, time and place fixed for each hearing.

3.8 For more information on these hearings, the examination of the Application and full timetable (and any amendments to it), including how and when to register to speak at the hearings and how and when to make written submissions, please contact the Planning Inspectorate using the contact details provided above.

4. APPLICATION FORM AND ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS

4.1 The Application form and its accompanying documents (including accompanying plans, maps, the Environmental Statement and Non-Technical Summary, and the draft Order) (together, the “Application Documents”) can be viewed and downloaded free of charge online on the Byers Gill Solar page of the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website under the Documents tab:

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010139/

4.2 The Application Documents can also be viewed and downloaded free of charge on the Applicant’s project website:

https://byersgillsolarfarm.co.uk/documents/

4.3 An electronic copy of the Application Documents can also be provided free of charge on a USB memory stick, upon request. To request a USB, please contact the Applicant using the contact details provided below.

4.4 All Application Documents are available for public inspection at the following places and times using a valid library membership:

*Please note that opening hours are subject to change. Please check and confirm opening times with the venue if planning a visit.

4.5 The full suite of Application documents can be made available in hard copy format on request to the Applicant at a cost of £2,194.00 per copy. For any bespoke or hard copy document requests (for example in large print, audio or braille formats) please contact the Applicant using the contact details below, who will provide the cost. Copies of individual documents are also available on request and a reasonable copying charge may apply.

Applicant Contact Details

4.6 If you have any questions about the Application Documents or wish to request copies on a USB, you can email enquiries@byersgillsolar.com, write to FREEPOST Byers Gill Solar, or contact the Applicant by telephone on 0800 197 0118.