The Planning Inspectorate accepted Forewind’s development consent order application for the first stage of offshore wind energy development on the Dogger Bank Zone.
The application for Dogger Bank Creyke Beck, comprising two offshore wind farms with a total installed capacity of up to 2.4 gigawatts (GW), was submitted in August after more than three years of surveys and research work, reporting and stakeholder engagement activity.
The Planning Inspectorate will now begin a pre-examination phase that will be followed by a formal examination process, together these should take around 10 months. A recommendation will then go to the Secretary of State who will make the final consent decision.
Forewind General Manager Dr Lee Clarke said the acceptance of the application by the Planning Inspectorate is the culmination of the most extensive offshore survey programme ever undertaken in the UK offshore wind industry and one of the most comprehensive and thorough environmental impact assessments to date.
“This has only been possible through close collaboration between the project partners, suppliers and contractors, and positive dialogue with the many and varied stakeholders,” he said
“We look forward to continued engagement with them and with the Planning Inspectorate in the coming phase to ensure a positive outcome, with the benefits that this will bring in terms of the economy and the generation of renewable energy.”
Organisations and individuals wishing to make comments on the application, or be informed of the progress of the examination, are now able to register as an interested party with the Planning Inspectorate.
Copies of the full applications will shortly be available to review at all local libraries in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire and to download from the Forewind website www.forewind.co.uk.
Dogger Bank Creyke Beck will be followed by two more stages of development for the zone, namely Dogger Bank Teesside A & B and Dogger Bank Teesside C & D.
Both these stages also comprise two up to 1.2GW offshore wind farms, and connect into the national grid in Redcar and Cleveland. The second and final stage of consultation for Dogger Bank Teesside A & B is due to start in November this year.
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Press release, September 26, 2013; Image: forewind