Public Notices: SECTION 48 OF THE PLANNING ACT 2008

REGULATION 4 OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING (APPLICATIONS: PRESCRIBED FORMS AND PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS 2009

NOTICE PUBLICISING A PROPOSED APPLICATION FOR A DEVELOPMENT CONSENT ORDER TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, MAINTAIN AND DECOMMISSION TWO OFFSHORE WIND FARMS KNOWN AS THE SHERINGHAM SHOAL EXTENSION PROJECT AND THE DUDGEON EXTENSION PROJECT

Notice is hereby given that, on behalf of the partnership companies, Scira Extension Limited and Dudgeon Extension Limited, Equinor New Energy Limited of 1 Kingdom Street, London W2 6BD (“ENEL”) (“the Applicant”) intends to apply to the Secretary of State for a Development Consent Order (“DCO”) under section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 for the construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of two offshore wind farms known as the Sheringham Shoal Extension Project (“SEP”) and the Dudgeon Extension Project (“DEP”), and associated development to connect each wind farm to the national grid.
The proposed generating capacity of each wind farm will exceed 100MW and therefore each is a nationally significant infrastructure project individually, although a single application for development consent will be made to include both wind farms and the associated transmission infrastructure.
The proposed application for development consent for SEP and DEP is being prepared by and consulted upon by the Applicant.
SEP and DEP are “EIA development” for the purposes of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. This means that the proposed works constitute development for which an Environmental Impact Assessment is required and the proposed application for a DCO will therefore be accompanied by an Environmental Statement (“ES”).
The offshore wind turbines will be located in the Greater Wash region of the southern North Sea. The closest point to the coast is 13.6km from SEP and 24.8km from DEP. Plans showing the location of SEP and DEP are available at https://sepanddep.commonplace.is. SEP and DEP will be connected to shore by offshore export cables installed to the landfall at Weybourne, on the North Norfolk coast. From there, the onshore export cables travel approximately 60km inland to a high voltage alternating current (HVAC) onshore substation near to the existing Norwich Main substation.
The proposed DCO will, among other things, licence and authorise: (a) The key offshore components comprising:

(i) Offshore wind turbines;

(ii) Offshore substation platform/s (OSPs);

(iii) Foundation structures for wind turbines and OSP/s; (iv) Infield cables;

(v) Interlink cables; and

(vi) Export cables from the wind farm site/s to the landfall. (b) The key onshore components comprising:

(i) Landfall and associated joint transition bay;

(ii) Onshore export cables installed underground from the landfall to the onshore substation and associated joint bays and link boxes;

(iii) Onshore substation and onward 400kV connection to the existing Norwich Main substation; (iv) Trenchless crossing zones (e.g. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD));

(v) Construction and operational accesses; and

(vi) Construction compounds.

(c) Associated and/or ancillary works including archaeological and ground investigations, drainage works, highway improvements, works to alter the position of existing utilities, works to watercourses, landscaping and other monitoring and mitigation works.

(d) Such other works as may be necessary or expedient for the purposes of or in connection with the construction, operation, maintenance or decommissioning of SEP and DEP.

(e) If required, the temporary stopping up, alteration or diversion of any street or road.

(f ) If required, the permanent and/or temporary compulsory acquisition of land and/or rights for SEP and DEP.

(g) If required, the application and/or disapplication of legislation relevant to SEP and DEP and potentially a variation to the Electricity Act 1989 consent for the existing Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm.

Phase 2 of Consultation on SEP and DEP will take place from 29 April 2021 to 10 June 2021. The consultation documents, plans and maps showing the nature and location of SEP and DEP, including the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (“PEIR”) and non-technical summary, can be accessed free of charge during Phase 2 consultation from 29 April 2021 to 10 June 2021 on the following website: https://sepanddep. commonplace.is.
Due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not currently possible to place paper copies of the consultation documents, plans and maps showing the nature and location of SEP and DEP at local venues for inspection.
The consultation documents, plans and maps will also be available at the Applicant’s virtual exhibition which will be available to view from Thursday 29 April at https://event.sepanddep.co.uk.
Copies of the consultation documents, plans and maps (as set out below) may be requested in paper copy or on USB during the consultation period from the Applicant. Please contact the Applicant for further details using the email address or telephone number provided below. A USB containing the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR), the Non-Technical Summary of the PEIR, the redline plans, the draft information for the Marine Conservation Zone Assessment and the draft information for Habitats Regulations Assessment can be provided free of charge. A paper copy of the Non-Technical Summary of the PEIR, redline plans, the Community Consultation Leaflet and Feedback Form can be also be provided free of charge. There will be a (subsidised) charge of £500 for supply of a paper copy of the full Preliminary Environmental Information Report and a charge of £50 for a paper copy of the main volume of plans only.
Any person may comment on the proposals for SEP and DEP or otherwise respond to this notice. The consultation leaflet and feedback form explain the specific topics on which the Applicant is seeking feedback. Consultees are not however restricted to commenting on these issues, and the Applicant welcomes feedback on any aspect of SEP and DEP. Responses must be received no later than 11.59pm on 10 June 2021. Responses received after this time may not be considered.
When providing your response, please include your name and postcode, and confirm the nature of your interest in SEP and DEP. Completed feedback forms and responses must be submitted:

(a) By emailing: info@sepanddep.co.uk

(b) In writing to: FREEPOST DUDGEON AND SHERINGHAM EXT

The Applicant will consider and have regard to all responses before submitting its application for a DCO to the Secretary of State. 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 application can be accepted for examination. Therefore, when providing a comment, it should be borne in mind that the contents of it may be communicated to others as part of the Consultation Report.
If you would like further information about this notice, the consultation or SEP and DEP, please contact the project team by using one of the contact methods provided below.

Email: info@sepanddep.co.uk

Post: FREEPOST DUDGEON AND SHERINGHAM EXT Phone: 08081 963 673