Bassetlaw District - Planning Application For Steeple Renewables Project

Renewable Energy Systems Limited

Section 47(6) And 48 Of The Planning Act 2008

Regulation 4, Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms And Procedure) Regulations 2009

Steeple Renewables Project

Notice Of Publication Of A Statement Of Community Consultation And Notice Publishing A

Proposed Application For A Development Consent Order For Steeple Renewables Project

Notice is hereby given that RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS LIMITED (“the Applicant”) of Beaufort Court, Egg Farm Lane, Station Road, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8LR intends to apply to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero for Development Consent Order (DCO) under section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 (the act) to authorise the construction, operation and decommissioning of a solar photovoltaic (PV) array generating facility with battery energy storage (BESS) located across 930 hectares of land located in Sturtonle- Steeple with a total generating capacity exceeding 50 megawatts and export connection to the National Grid associated infrastructure (the Project).

In accordance with section 47(6) of the Act RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS LIMITED has now published a Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) for the Project.

This notice publicises where and when the SoCC can be inspected. The SoCC sets out how the Applicant will consult with the local community about the Project.

Additionally, the Applicant has a duty to publicise the proposed Application under section 48 of the Act in line with Regulation 4 of the 2009 Regulations. In accordance with those provisions, this notice also summarises the main proposals and explains where the consultation documents can be viewed.

The Project is located across nine connected land areas within the administrative area of Bassetlaw District Council and will connect to the grid via the National Grid Substation at West Burton Power Station. 

The Project would comprise:
• Solar PV modules and associated mounting structures;

• Battery Energy Storage System (BESS);

• 33kv Underground cabling within the areas of the solar PV modules and connecting solar PV module areas to the on-site substation and to the National Grid Substation at West Burton Power Station;

• Supporting electrical infrastructure including inverters and transformers, and switchgears;

• Highways access and internal tracks;

• Areas for ecological mitigation and enhancement to avoid or reduce adverse impacts on the surrounding environment and nearby communities;

• Other associated infrastructure for example, fencing, security, cctv, local grid connections;

• the permanent and/or temporary compulsory acquisition of land and/or rights (if required) and the application and/or disapplication of legislation including inter alia legislation relating to compulsory purchase and landlord and tenant matters.

The Project is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development for the purposes of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. This means that the Project will constitute development for which an EIA is needed and the proposed application for a DCO will therefore be accompanied by an Environmental Statement. Additionally, the Applicant will be making preliminary environmental information available (PEIR).

Consultation on the Project will take place from Monday 20 January 2025 until 11:59pm on Monday 03 March 2025.

Under section 47 of the Planning Act 2008, RES has a duty to consult the local community on its proposals. The SoCC explains how the Applicant will undertake the consultation, where the consultation documents can be viewed, where public events will be held and explains how people can comment on the proposals and provide responses to the consultation.

This notice contains a summary of the consultation details. However, full details of the consultation can be found in the SoCC.

Copies of the PEIR with a Non-Technical Summary, our SoCC and other consultation documents, plans and maps detailing our consultation process and showing the nature and location of the Project may be inspected free of charge at the following online at https://www.steeplerenewablesproject.co.uk/document-library/ or at the following deposit locations from the start of the consultation period on Monday 20 January 2025 until the close of the consultation period.

Materials are also available for viewing and collection at Sturton Hall and Conference Centre, Brickings Way, Sturton-le-Steeple, DN22 9HY. However, please be aware that the venue does not have regular opening hours.

Materials will be available to view during the opening hours listed above, except in circumstances outside of RES’ control which prevent the locations specified from opening.

Hard copies of the consultation brochure, feedback questionnaire and Non- Technical Summary will be available at no extra charge. A hard copy of the PEIR can be requested for a charge £0.35 per page to cover printing and posting costs. These can be requested by contacting the Project Team via the details at the bottom of this notice.

You can also view RES’ consultation materials at the consultation events where you can speak with the project team and share your views. Consultation events will be held at the following venues during the consultation period:

A consultation feedback questionnaire is available as part of the consultation materials, and online at www.steeplerenewablesproject.co.uk. A printed copy of the consultation feedback questionnaire can be requested by contacting the project team on the details below. You can also contact the project team via phone on 0115 718 2070.

Responses to the consultation can be submitted in the following ways:
• Completing the feedback form online at www.steeplerenewablesproject.co.uk 

• By returning a printed copy of the enclosed response form at Freepost STEEPLE RENEWABLES PROJECT (no stamp required)

• Emailing us at info@steeplerenewablesproject.co.uk 

• Writing to us at Freepost STEEPLE RENEWABLES PROJECT (no stamp required) 

Responses must be received by 11:59pm on Monday 03 March 2025.

RES will consider and have regard to all responses when refining the Project once the consultation has closed. Responses will form the basis of a Consultation Report that will be one of the factors taken into consideration by the Secretary of State when deciding whether the DCO 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. Personal details will be held securely in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and will be used solely in connection with the consultation process and the development of this project and, except as noted above, will not be disclosed to any third parties. Personal information will be redacted.

If you have any questions about the Project or consultation, please get in touch using the contact details above.