Sofia Offshore Wind Farm - Export Cable Repair Works Application

THE MARINE AND COASTAL ACCESS ACT 2009 THE MARINE WORKS (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) REGULATIONS 2007 (as amended)

APPLICATION FOR SOFIA OFFSHORE WINDFARM EXPORT CABLE REPAIR PROJECT

Notice is hereby given that Sofia Offshore Windfarm Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 6PB has applied to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for a marine licence to carry out a regulated activity under the Marine and Coastal Act 2009. The project requires an environmental impact assessment ("EIA") consent and is subject to the requirement for an EIA under the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 ("the EIA Regulations"). The MMO confirms its intent to defer an EIA consent decision under the Regulations, by virtue of article 10(1)(b)(i and ii) of the Regulations, on the basis that assessment of the effects of the project has already been carried out by the appropriate authority for this case, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change under the Planning Act 2008 (as amended) and the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009 (as amended). Any decision to defer is subject to the MMO being satisfied that the decision is sufficient to meet requirements of EIA in relation to the project. The application is for: The use of rock placement and concrete mattresses to protect repaired sections of the export cable during the operational (O&M) phase of the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm. Copies of the application and associated information can be viewed online in the MMO Public Register at: www.gov.uk/check-marine-licence-register.

A copy of the application, environmental statement and other documents required by the EIA Regulations are also available for public inspection, free of charge, during normal office hours for at Redcar and Cleveland Library Service, 1 Farndale Square, Redcar TS10 5HQ, for a period of 42 days from the date of the first notice (13th June 2026). Copies of the same documents may also be inspected free of charge, during normal office hours and by prior appointment at the offices of the MMO, Tyneside House, Newcastle upon Tyne, during the same period. If printed copies of the above documents are requested, a charge (not exceeding reasonable copying costs) may be payable. Representations in respect of the application should ordinarily be made by: - Visiting the MMO Public Register (www.gov.uk/check-marine-licence-register) and accessing the Public Representation section of case reference MLA/2026/00095. However, we will also accept representations via the following formats: - By email to marine.consents@marinemanagement.org.uk; or alternatively - By letter addressed to Marine Management Organisation, Tyneside House, Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7AR In all cases, correspondence must: - Be received within 42 days of the date of the first notice (2); - Quote the case reference MLA/2026/00095; and - Include an address to which correspondence relating to the representation or objection may be sent. Representations received from members of the public will be dealt with in accordance with Schedule 5 of the EIA Regulations. Copies of written representations received by MMO will be sent to the applicant and may also be made publicly available. The MMO will make a decision whether to grant regulatory approval (for a marine licence) under Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.