Frodsham, Application For Development Consent
What is planned?
Frodsham Solar
Section 48 of the Planning Act 2008
Notice publicising a proposed application for a Development Consent Order (“DCO”) to authorise a new solar energy generation station and associated on-site Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) (“Frodsham Solar”) on land at Frodsham Marsh, Frodsham, Cheshire West and Chester.
Regulation 4 Infrastructure Planning (Applications Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009
Notice is hereby given that Frodsham Solar Limited (Company Number 14432433), whose registered office is 70 St Mary Axe, London, United Kingdom, EC3A 8BE (“the Applicant”), proposes to apply to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero under section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 for the above-mentioned Development Consent Order (the “Application”).
The proposed design for Frodsham Solar would enable the generation of approximately 130 megawatts (MW) of electricity, as well as the storage of approximately 100 MW of electricity in a BESS. Frodsham Solar also includes the associated infrastructure for connection into the local electricity distribution network, as well as a private wire connection, that would enable local businesses to utilise electricity generated.
The proposed DCO will, among other things, authorise:
- Construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of a solar PV electricity generating facility with a capacity of over 50 MW;
- Associated and/or ancillary works including the construction of an energy storage facility, grid connection infrastructure including an onsite substation and overhead line connection to the SP Energy Networks Frodsham substation, landscaping, biodiversity and bird mitigation areas, access tracks, construction facilities, and the creation of permissive paths;
- The permanent compulsory acquisition (if required) of land and/or rights;
- The temporary possession of land;
- The overriding of easements and other rights over or affecting land;
- The application and/or disapplication of legislation; and
- Such ancillary, incidental and consequential provisions, licenses, property rights, permits and consents as are necessary and/or convenient.
The Applicant is undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. This means that the proposed works are an EIA development for which an EIA is required and that the Applicant will prepare an Environmental Statement (ES). The Environmental Statement will accompany the Application. Preliminary information compiled to date by the Applicant about the likely environmental effects of the proposals is contained in the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR).
Accessing consultation documents
The Applicant is undertaking a phase of consultation on the proposals for Frodsham Solar between Thursday 07 November and Thursday 19 December 2024.
The consultation materials comprise a PEIR, a Non-Technical Summary of the PEIR, a Community Consultation Leaflet which explains the consultation process and summarizes the details of Frodsham Solar including plans and maps showing the nature and location of the proposed DCO, and a Feedback Form inviting comments.
These consultation materials will be available free-of-charge on the Applicant’s website in the document library (www.frodshamsolar.co.uk) to read, download and print between Thursday 07 November and Thursday 19 December 2024.
Consultation materials will also be provided in paper copy or on USB by request to the Applicant (contact details provided below). Please note that a reasonable charge up to £500 may apply to providing printed copies of the PEIR.
Consultation materials can also be made available by request in alternative formats, such as large print, translated language, audio or braille, by contacting the Applicant using the details below.
Copies of consultation materials (excluding the PEIR) will also be available to view in person between Thursday 07 November and Thursday 19 December 2024 at the following public venues in the vicinity of Frodsham Solar. Please note that opening times have been checked, but they are dependent on the venue itself and may be subject to change.
| Venue | Address | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| Frodsham Library | Princeway, Frodsham, WA6 6RX | Monday to Friday: 9am – 6pm Saturday: 9:30am – 1pm |
| Helsby Library | Lower Robin Hood Lane, Helsby, WA6 0BW | Monday and Friday: 9:30am – 5pm Tuesday & Wednesday: 9:30am – 7pm Saturday: 9:30am – 1pm |
| Ellesmere Port Library | Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BG | Monday: 9am – 7pm Tuesday & Wednesday: 9am – 5pm Thursday & Friday: 9am – 7pm Saturday: 9am – 1pm |
| Location | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Christchurch Hall | Sandy Lane, Weston Point, Runcorn, WA7 4EU Monday 25 November 3pm - 7pm |
| Helsby Community Centre | Lower Robin Hood Lane, Helsby, WA6 0BW Tuesday 26 November 2pm - 6:30pm |
| Elton Community Centre | School Lane, Elton, Chester, CH2 4PU Friday 29 November 3pm - 7pm |
| Frodsham Community Centre | Fluin Ln, Frodsham, WA6 7QN Saturday 30 November 1:30pm – 5:30pm |
| Helsby Community Centre | Fluin Ln, Frodsham, WA6 7QN Monday 2 December 2:30pm – 6:30pm |
| Online Community Webinar | Access details at www.frodshamsolar.co.uk or contact the Applicant for joining instructions. Wednesday 4 December 6pm – 7:30pm |
These public information events offer an opportunity to find out more about the Applicant’s updated proposals. Attendees do not need to register in advance to attend in-person events.
Attendees can register to attend the online community webinar by visiting the Applicant’s website or contacting the Applicant directly.
Responding to the consultation
Feedback can be provided through the Applicant’s website (www.frodshamsolar.co.uk), where an online feedback form will be clearly linked.
Hardcopy feedback forms will be available to collect at the aforementioned public information events and public venues, to download from the Applicant’s website, and can be issued upon request to the contact details below. Completed forms can be submitted at the public information events.
Any written response can be sent to the Applicant by email to info@frodshamsolar.co.uk or by post to FREEPOST FRODSHAM SOLAR.
Any response or representation in respect of the proposed DCO must be received by the Applicant on or before Thursday 19 December 2024, (i) be made in writing, (ii) state the grounds of the response or representation, and (iii) indicate who is making the response or representation.
The Applicant will consider and have regard to all responses received during this time before submitting its application for a DCO. Responses and representations will form the basis of a Consultation Report that will be one of the factors taken into consideration by the Planning Inspectorate when deciding whether the Application can be accepted for examination. Therefore, in providing any comment, it should be borne in mind that the substance of it may be communicated to others as part of the Consultation Report and may be publicly available.
Personal details will be held securely and solely for purposes in connection with the statutory consultation, DCO process and ongoing development of Frodsham Solar. Outside of these purposes the Applicant may be required to provide personal details if the Planning Inspectorate requests such responses. Otherwise, your personal details will not be disclosed to any third parties. For further details please see the Applicant’s Privacy Policy on their website www.frodshamsolar.co.uk. A copy of the privacy policy can be provided upon request at the contact details below.
Contacting the Applicant
The Applicant can be contacted by:
- Email: info@frodshamsolar.co.uk
- Writing to: FREEPOST FRODSHAM SOLAR
- Calling: 0808 175 4004 (open 09:00-17:00, Monday–Friday. A voicemail service will operate out of office hours)
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