Dogger Bank South - Environmental Impact Assessment For Development

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

DOGGER BANK SOUTH OFFSHORE WIND FARMS

THE PLANNING ACT 2008 AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) REGULATIONS 2017

NOTICE OF A DECISION ON AN APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER GRANTING DEVELOPMENT CONSENT FOR EIA DEVELOPMENT

The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (“the Secretary of State”) gives notice under regulation 31(2) of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (“the 2017 Regulations”) that a determination has been made on an application made by RWE Renewables UK Dogger Bank South (West) Limited and RWE Renewables UK Dogger Bank South (East) Limited (“the Applicants”) for development consent under the Planning Act 2008 (“the 2008 Act”) for development that constitutes “Environmental Impact Assessment development” as defined in the 2017 Regulations. 

The application is for the construction of 2 offshore generating stations (‘DBS East’ and ‘DBS West’) with a capacity greater than 100 megawatts (“MW”), comprising:

• the construction and operation of 2 array areas, each with up to 100 wind turbines and their foundations;

• the construction of up to 8 offshore platforms and their foundations including collector platforms, offshore converter platforms and accommodation platform and an electrical switching platform;

• scour protection (where required);

• subsea cables, including:
a. array cables which would link the wind turbines to each other and the offshore platforms 

b. inter-platform cables which would link the offshore platforms

c. export cables from the offshore platforms to the landfall

• cable protection (as required);

• landfall, intertidal works between Mean High Water Spring (MHWS) and Mean Low Water Spring (MLWS) and associated transition joint bays (TJB) which would be used to connect the onshore and offshore cables at landfall;

• onshore export cables installed underground from the TJB to the onshore converter stations and associated joining bays and link boxes;

• up to 2 converter stations;

• onward 400kV cable connection from the onshore convertor stations to the proposed Birkhill Wood National Grid Substation;

• trenchless crossing locations (for example by horizontal directional drilling);

• construction and operational accesses; and

• Temporary construction compounds.

The Secretary of State has decided, following consideration of the report of the Examining Authority who conducted an examination into the application, that development consent should be granted for the proposed development. 

The statement of reasons for deciding to make an Order granting development consent, which has been prepared by the Secretary of State under section 116 of the 2008 Act and regulation 31(2) of the 2017 Regulations, containing the content of the decision, the requirements imposed in connection with the development, the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based including relevant information about the participation of the public, a description of the main features to avoid, reduce and offset any major adverse effects of the development, is published on the Planning Inspectorate’s website: https://national-infrastructureconsenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010125 

The statement of reasons contains the information required by regulation 30(2) of the 2017 Regulations including information regarding the right to challenge the decision and the procedures for doing so.

Hard copies of the decision documentation will also be available to inspect at the Planning Inspectorate’s offices (by appointment using the contact details below):

The Planning Inspectorate, National Infrastructure Directorate, c/o QUADIENT, 69 Buckingham Avenue, Slough SL1 4PN To make an appointment for inspection of the documents contact the Planning Inspectorate on 0303 444 5000 or email NIEnquiries@planninginspectorate.gov.uk.  

Copies of the Secretary of State’s decision letter and the text of the Order can be obtained by writing or sending an e-mail to the Planning Inspectorate. No charge will be made for this service.