NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A DEVELOPMENT CONSENT ORDER (“DCO”) BY THE PLANNING INSPECTORATE (ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE) UNDER SECTION 56 OF THE PLANNING ACT 2008.

Section 56 of the Planning Act 2008
Regulation 9 of the Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009.
Regulation 16 of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017

  1. Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of State has accepted an application (the “Application”) by Frodsham Solar Limited (Company Number 14432433), whose registered office is 70 St Mary Axe, London, United Kingdom, EC3A 8BE (the “Applicant”) for a Development Consent Order (“DCO”) under the Planning Act 2008. The Application (Reference No. EN010153) was submitted by the Applicant to the Secretary of State via the Planning Inspectorate on 30 May 2025 and was accepted for examination on 27 June 2025.

Summary of the Proposed Development

  1. The Application is for development consent to construct, operate, maintain and decommission a solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generating facility with a capacity of approximately 147 megawatts (MW) of electricity as well as the storage of approximately 100 MW of electricity in a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). It also includes infrastructure for connection to the local electricity distribution network as well as a private wire electricity connection that would enable local businesses to utilise the renewable energy generated.
  2. Frodsham Solar (the “Proposed Development”) is located approximately 500 metres to the north of Frodsham Town Centre within the administrative area of Cheshire West and Chester Council. A map showing the location of the Proposed Development can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website at the following link: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010153/
  3. Development consent is required to the extent that the development is or forms part of a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) pursuant to sections 14(1)(a), 15(1) and 15(2) of the Planning Act 2008, as an onshore generating station in England with a capacity exceeding 50 MW. It is for this reason that the Proposed Development falls within the remit of the Secretary of State’s decision-making powers.
  4. The DCO, if granted, would authorise the compulsory acquisition of land, interests in land and rights over land, and the powers to use land permanently and temporarily. The DCO would also authorise alterations to the layout of streets, the construction of accesses to the Proposed Development, the temporary stopping up or management of the public right of way, street works, hedgerow removal of hedgerows and the application and disapplication of legislation.

Environmental Impact Assessment Development

  1. Due to its nature and size, the Proposed Development is classified as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development for the purposes of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. This means that the Proposed Development constitutes development for which an EIA is required. The Application is therefore accompanied by an Environmental Statement.

Application Form and Accompanying Documents

  1. The Application form and its accompanying documents (including accompanying plans, maps, the Environmental Statement, and the draft DCO (the “Application Documents”)) can be viewed and downloaded free of charge online on the Frodsham Solar page of the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website under the Documents tab until at least the end of the Relevant Representation period on 28 August 2025: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010153/
  2. This link will also be available on the Applicant’s project website: www.frodshamsolar.co.uk
  3. An electronic copy of the Application Documents can be supplied free of charge on a USB memory stick. To request a USB, please email info@frodshamsolar.co.uk, write to FREEPOST FRODSHAM SOLAR (free of charge; you do not need a stamp) or telephone 0808 175 4004 (free of charge).
  4. The Application Documents can be made available in a hard copy format on request to the Applicant. Document requests can be made using the contact details at the end of this notice. Please note that a charge to cover printing costs may apply. Requests may be made for documents to be otherwise made available (for example in large print, audio or braille formats) or specific Application Documents. Given the size and format of the Application Documents, this service can be provided to publication specifications may cost up to £5,000.

Making Representations

  1. Becoming an Interested Party gives you the right to make representations about the Application to the Planning Inspectorate. Any person may register as an Interested Party by submitting a Relevant Representation in respect of the Application during the representation period, which must be made directly to the Planning Inspectorate. Any representations (giving notice of any interest in, or objection to the Application) may be made on the Planning Inspectorate’s Registration and Relevant Representation Form. The Registration and Relevant Representation Form can be accessed and completed online from 17 July 2025 on the Planning Inspectorate’s website: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010153.
  2. If you require guidance, or other methods to obtain and complete a hard copy of the Planning Inspectorate’s Registration and Relevant Representation Form, please telephone the Planning Inspectorate on 0303 444 5000. You can also email the Planning Inspectorate at FrodshamSolarFarm@planninginspectorate.gov.uk. Completed forms should be sent to: The Planning Inspectorate, National Infrastructure Directorate, Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN. The Application reference (EN010153) should be quoted in any correspondence.
  3. Please note completed Registration and Relevant Representation Forms must be received by the Planning Inspectorate by 11:59pm on 28 August 2025.
  4. The Planning Inspectorate’s guidance, Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects: How to register to have your say and make a relevant representation, provides further guidance on how to register and make a relevant representation and can be accessed via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nationally-significant-infrastructure-projects-how-to-register-to-have-your-say-and-make-a-relevant-representation
  5. It should be noted that personal data, such as the names of persons over 18, will be published alongside a representation. If you do not wish personal data to be made publicly available, you should state why when submitting the representation. If necessary, the Planning Inspectorate will publish the representations with your name and personal data redacted. Please note that all representations submitted will be published on the Planning Inspectorate’s website and will be subject to their privacy policy, found online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-inspectorate-privacy-notices/customer-privacy-notice

Contacting the Applicant

  1. Further information about the Application may be obtained from the Applicant, through the contact details provided below.

Email: info@frodshamsolar.co.uk
Freephone Information Line: 0808 175 4004
Freepost: FREEPOST FRODSHAM SOLAR

Find more public notices at Fishing News