Planning Examinations

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) Examination

Finally, on 6 July 2021, the Planning Examinations drew to a close. A big milestone and a moment to pause and reflect. No matter what the outcome we at SEAS feel you have given your all preparing passionate and informed submissions and responding to our Calls to Action time and time again. It is impossible for us to thank you enough.

Within three months of the close of the Examination, the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) must prepare a report on the Application to the Secretary of State including a recommendation. This will be sent to the Secretary of State, The Rt Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng MP, no later than 6 October 2021. The Secretary of State then officially has a further three months to make the decision on whether to grant or refuse development consent. It could be late 2021 or early 2022 before we hear the outcome.

Once a decision has been issued by the relevant Secretary of State, there is a six week period in which the decision may be challenged in the High Court. This process of legal challenge is known as Judicial Review.

Key Documents from the Examination

Examination Timetable

‍‍Recent Documents published by the Examining Authority

Examination Library
The Examination Library includes a full list of ScottishPower Renewables Application Documents; Relevant Representations; Procedural Decisions; Additional Submissions; Agendas, Transcripts and Audio Recordings of all Hearings, Site Inspections and all Written Representations

Open Floor Hearings

Listen to the voices that have spoken so passionately at the Hearings

Open Floor Hearings 7 – 28 January 2021 – Speakers
Action Points
Session 1 Audio & Transcript
Session 2 – Audio & Transcript

Open Floor Hearings 6 – 22 January 2021 – Speakers
Action Points
Session 1 – Audio & Transcript
Session 2 – Audio & Transcript

Open Floor Hearings 5 – 6 November 2020 – Speakers
Session 1 – Audio & Transcript
Session 2 – Audio & Transcript

Gary Waple – Snape Resident
Fiona Gilmore – Snape Resident
Gillian Horrocks – Aldringham Resident
Paul Chandler -Sizewell Resident
David Wybar Aldeburgh Golf Club – Aldringham Resident

Open Floor Hearings 4 – 5 November 2020 – Speakers
Session 1 – Audio & Transcript
Session 2 – Audio & Transcript

Edward King – Snape Resident
Jenny Kennedy – Friston Resident
Marie Szpak – Friston Resident
Susan Osben – Aldeburgh Librarian
Sheridan Steen – Friston Resident
Melissa Baker – local resident
Brigette D’Angelo – Rendham Resident

Open Floor Hearings 3 – 9 October 2020 – Speakers
Session 1 – Audio
Session 2 – Audio

Jill Hubbard
Georgina King – SEAS
Christine Laschet – Aldringham Resident
Mya Manakides – Friston Resident
Henrietta Palmer – Sizewell Resident
Glynis Robertson – SEAS
Chris Wheeler

Open Floor Hearings 2 – 8 October 2020 – Speakers
Session 1 – Audio
Session 2 – Audio

Rt Hon Dr Therese Coffey MP
Fiona – Friston Resident
Natasha – Friston Resident

Open Floor Hearings 1 – 7 October 2020 – Speakers
Session 1 – Audio
Session 2 – Audio

Bridget Chadwick – Sandlings Resident
Peter Chadwick – Sandlings Resident
Iain Brown – Aldeburgh Resident
Luigi Beltrandi – Friston Resident
Fiona Gilmore – SEAS
Peter Chadwick – Save Our Sandlings

The Way Forward - A Split Decision For EAST ANGLIA ONE NORTH and EAST ANGLIA TWO

At the beginning of 2022 SEAS called upon the Secretary of State to:

1. Take a more strategic approach to the location of all onshore infrastructure for offshore wind so that onshore energy hubs are built on brownfield sites and our unspoilt and protected landscapes are saved.

2. To reconsider his decision on East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two and recommend a ‘split decision’ so that:

(i) The offshore turbines are recommended for consent.
(ii) The onshore infrastructure is rejected in favour of full consideration of better locations for this infrastructure where the adverse impacts are minimised at a brownfield or industrialised site.

Campaigners call for 'split decision' over Suffolk windfarm projects, East Anglian Daily Times, 19 July 2021

SEAS Further submission with regard to a 'split decision,' A ‘Split Decision’- A Positive Way Forward, 5 July 2021

SEAS Submission to the Planning Inspectorate Re: The 'Split Decision' February 2021

Therese Coffey MP campaigns for a 'Split Decision' and to reject the Friston Substation site February 2021

Cumulative Impact - SEAS Submissions into the EA1N/2 Examination

Biodiversity

SEAS Biodiversity Submissions to the Examination

Thoughts on the Suffolk Sandlings ... by a local resident

Key Documents

The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review – Government Response, HM Treasury, 14 June 2021
The Dasgupta Report, Final Report of the Independent Review on the Economics of Biodiversity led by Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, 2 February 2021
‘Powering Our Net Zero Future: Energy White Paper’, Energy White Paper, HM Government, Dec 2020
The 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, HM Government, November 2020

In the Press

Can Offshore Wind Development Avoid Harming Nature? Greentechmedia, 11 January 2021
Big UK offshore windfarms push risks harming habitats, say campaigners, The Guardian, 14 November 2020
18 Environmental Groups write to the PM, Wildlife and Countryside Link, 13 November 2020

Air Quality, Health & Social Impact

Landfall Site

SEAS Additional WR on Landfall Site and cable corridor route around Ness House Deadline 13, 5 July 2021

Landfall assessment and horizontal directional drilling, SEAS Deadline 3 Submission

Thorpeness cliffs and the Coralline Crag, SEAS Deadline 2 submission

Traffic, Tourism and Economic Impact

THE DESNZ REVIEW (OTNR) AND THE CHANGING POLICY ENVIRONMENT

Non Disclosure Agreements

This complaint, made on behalf of Suffolk Energy Action Solutions, concerns efforts being made by Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) to prevent persons who would otherwise have a reason to object and provide support to groups opposing SPR’s application in respect of EA1N and EA2, from opposing the application for consent. The nub of the complaint concerns the fact that in the course of concluding agreements with landowners, SPR is including a clause which makes agreement conditional upon the individual landowner concerned not opposing the application and withdrawing any evidence already given.

Therese Coffey MP writes to the Secretary of State with regard to Non Disclosure Agreements February 2021