Rosefield Solar Farm

The Planning Inspectorate has published a Request for Further Information from the Examining Authority together with a revised examination timetable.

Interested Parties have until Wednesday 12 August 2026 (Deadline 6) to submit responses.

The Examination Library has also been updated.

Further information and the latest examination documents are available on the Planning Inspectorate website:

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

The Planning Inspectorate has published a further update on the Rosefield Solar Farm Development Consent Order (DCO) examination.

The latest documents include:

The Examining Authority’s Schedule of Changes to the Draft Development Consent Order. Recordings, transcripts and action points from: Issue Specific Hearing 3 (7–8 July 2026) Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (9 July 2026) The Note of the Unaccompanied Site Inspection undertaken on 9 July 2026. An updated Examination Library.

Residents wishing to follow the progress of the examination can view all of the latest documents on the Planning Inspectorate’s Rosefield Solar Farm project page.

All submissions for Deadline 4 of the Examination have now been published and are available to view via the project page. The Examination Library will also be updated shortly to include the latest documents.

Residents wishing to follow the progress of the application can view the project information and examination documents on the Planning Inspectorate website.

The Parish Council will continue to monitor developments and provide updates where appropriate.

The Planning Inspectorate has announced further examination hearings for the proposed Rosefield Solar Farm development.

The following hearings will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Milton Keynes and online via Microsoft Teams:

Issue Specific Hearing 3 (ISH3) – Tuesday 7 July 2026, 9.30am Continuation of ISH3 – Wednesday 8 July 2026, 9.30am Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (CAH2) – Thursday 9 July 2026, 9.30am The hearings form part of the ongoing Examination of the Development Consent Order application.

Further information and examination documents can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate’s project page: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

The Examining Authority has agreed to consider a request from the applicant to make changes to the application and, as a result, has issued a revised Examination Timetable. The Examination remains ongoing and is being conducted by the Planning Inspectorate as part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) process.

Residents can view the revised Examination Timetable and associated documents on the Planning Inspectorate website:

View the decision

Examination Timetable

The Planning Inspectorate has published the Examining Authority’s Second Written Questions relating to the proposed Rosefield Solar Farm Development Consent Order (DCO) application.

The questions form part of the ongoing examination process and have been issued to relevant parties for response.

Key Information:

The Examining Authority’s Second Written Questions were published on 5 June 2026 Responses are due by 22 June 2026 The questions and associated examination documents can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate’s project website.

Residents wishing to follow the progress of the application can find further information via the Rosefield Solar Farm project page:

Rosefield Solar Farm Project Information

Granborough Parish Council will continue to monitor the examination process and publish relevant updates as they become available.

The Planning Inspectorate has published a further project update for the proposed Rosefield Solar Farm development.

The following documents are now available to view:

Recordings and transcripts for Issue Specific Hearing 1 (ISH1) Recording and transcript for Issue Specific Hearing 2 (ISH2) Further information can be viewed via the Planning Inspectorate project page for Rosefield Solar Farm.

Residents wishing to follow the examination process can access the latest documents and updates directly through the project website.

Instructions have now been issued to registered participants for joining Issue Specific Hearing 2 (ISH2), either virtually or in person at the venue.

Members of the public can also observe the hearing online via livestream. If you experience any issues accessing the livestream, please try refreshing the webpage.

Further information and project documents can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate project page:

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

Instructions have now been issued to registered participants for attending Virtual Issue Specific Hearing 1 (ISH1), either online or in person at the venue.

Members of the public can also observe the hearing online via livestream. If the livestream does not load correctly, please try refreshing the webpage. https://cvslivestream.co.uk/rosefield/

Further information and project documents can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate project page: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

The Examining Authority has published the itinerary for the accompanied site inspection taking place on Tuesday 19 May 2026.

View the itinerary (PDF, 2MB)

The agendas for Issue Specific Hearing 1 on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 May 2026, and Issue Specific Hearing 2 on Friday 22 May 2026, have also been published.

View the agendas

The Examination Library (PDF, 525KB) has been updated.

An updated project notice has been published by the Planning Inspectorate in relation to the Rosefield Solar Farm application.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an additional submission from Rosefield Energyfarm Limited for consideration during the examination process.

The Examination Library has also been updated.

Please note that acceptance of the submission does not mean that the proposed changes to the application have been accepted. The Examining Authority will decide in due course whether the proposed changes will be considered as part of the examination.

Further information can be viewed via the Planning Inspectorate project page:

The Examining Authority has issued notification of upcoming events, including:

Accompanied Site Inspection – Tuesday 19 May 2026 (Claydon Estate) Issue Specific Hearing 1 (ISH1) – Wednesday 20 May and Thursday 21 May 2026 Issue Specific Hearing 2 (ISH2) – Friday 22 May 2026 All hearings will take place at Doubletree by Hilton, Milton Keynes, and can also be attended virtually. Registration in advance is required.

The Examination Library has also been updated.

More information, including how to register to attend or speak, can be found on the Planning Inspectorate project page: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

All submissions for Deadline 2 are now available to view, and the Examination Library has been updated.

Residents can view the latest documents and follow the progress of the application via the Planning Inspectorate website: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158/

The Examining Authority has issued a request for further information from all parties, including in relation to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within submissions.

Deadline for responses: Wednesday 22 April 2026

View the request for information (PDF): https://nsip-documents.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/published-documents/EN010158-000862-Rule%2017%20Artificial%20Intelligence.pdf

View all project documents:

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

The applicant has also updated its Planning Statement to include references to relevant local Neighbourhood Development Plans.

This now includes the Granborough Neighbourhood Plan (2020–2035) along with neighbouring parish plans.

The Planning Inspectorate has issued a further project update for the Rosefield Solar Farm proposal.

The Examining Authority’s first set of written questions (ExQ1) has now been published, covering a wide range of topics including environmental impacts, biodiversity, transport, and project design.

Responses to these questions are required from the applicant and relevant parties by 22 April 2026.

You can view the questions here: 👉 https://nsip-documents.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/published-documents

Further information about the project can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website: 👉 https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158/

Residents may wish to note that a further update has been published regarding the proposed Rosefield Solar Farm project.

📄 All submissions for Deadline 1 of the Examination have now been published. These documents form part of the formal review process carried out by the Planning Inspectorate.

📚 The Examination Library, which contains all project documents submitted during the process, will be updated shortly to include these materials.

🔎 Residents can view the project information and access the published documents via the Planning Inspectorate website: 👉 https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

The Parish Council will continue to monitor the process and share significant updates as they become available.

The Planning Inspectorate has published further documents as part of the ongoing examination of the proposed Rosefield Solar Farm development.

The newly published documents include:

Action points arising from Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (CAH1) EN010158-000504-CAH1 Action Points – 25 February 2026 A note from the Examining Authority’s unaccompanied site inspection carried out on 26 February 2026. EN010158-000503-USI note – Feb 2026

All project documents are available on the Planning Inspectorate’s website: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

The Planning Inspectorate has issued the formal Rule 8 letter for the Rosefield Solar Farm application (Reference: EN010158).

This confirms that the project has now entered the Examination phase under the Planning Act 2008.

The letter sets out:

The Examination timetable Deadlines for submitting written representations Requests for Statements of Common Ground A request for Local Impact Reports from local authorities Details of possible hearings Information about an accompanied site inspection (week commencing 18 May 2026)

The full Rule 8 letter can be viewed here: EN010158-000480-XE01 Rule 8 letter

All project documents are available on the Planning Inspectorate’s website: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

Residents who registered as Interested Parties will be contacted directly by the Planning Inspectorate regarding participation in the Examination.

Granborough Parish Council will review the timetable and consider any appropriate response in line with the published deadlines.

The Planning Inspectorate has published further documentation relating to the ongoing examination of the Rosefield Solar Farm proposal (Reference: EN010158).

The following documents are now available:

Recording of the Preliminary Meeting

Transcript of Preliminary Meeting Note (PDF)

Recording of open floor hearing 1 (OFH1)

Transcript of open floor hearing 1 (OFH1)

Recordings of Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 – Part 1 (CAH1)

Transcript of Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 – Part 1 (CAH1)

Recordings of Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 – Part 2 (CAH1)

Transcript of Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 – Part 2 (CAH1)

These documents provide a full record of the discussions and proceedings that have taken place so far as part of the examination process.Residents can view all published documents and detailed project information via the Planning Inspectorate’s project page:

👉 View Project Information and Documents: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

Granborough Parish Council will continue to monitor the examination process and provide updates as further information becomes available.

The Planning Inspectorate has issued instructions for registered participants to attend the preliminary meeting and Open Floor Hearing 1, either virtually or in person.

Members of the public can also observe these proceedings via livestream using the official project webpage:

Rosefield Solar Farm – CVS Live Stream

If the livestream does not work, try refreshing your webpage.

Further information about the project is available on the Planning Inspectorate’s project page.

The Planning Inspectorate has published the agenda for the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing scheduled for 25 February 2026.

The agenda is available below:-

Agenda 25 February 2025-Rosefield

Granborough Parish Council will continue to provide updates as the examination progresses.

The Planning Inspectorate has issued a further project update for the Rosefield Solar Farm Development Consent Order (DCO) application.

Key update All submissions received for Procedural Deadline A have now been published. These documents form part of the ongoing examination of the application.

The Examination Library has also been updated. This is the master list of all documents submitted and published during the examination process.

Further information Residents can view all application documents, including submissions made at Procedural Deadline A, on the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website:

👉 https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

Buckinghamshire Council provided an update briefing on Rosefield Solar Farm last night. Cllr Fenwick, Oakley and Watson attended on behalf of Granborough Parish Council. The presentation slides shared at the session are available below.

Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project Rosefield Solar Farm Member-Parish BriefingFebruary2026

The Planning Inspectorate has published a further update on the Rosefield Solar Farm Development Consent Order (DCO) application.

Key updates The Examining Authority has issued the ‘Rule 6 letter’, which:

Confirms the preliminary meeting Sets out a draft examination timetable Provides an initial assessment of the principal issues Confirms dates for the first hearings

The Examining Authority has also accepted additional submissions from:

Rosefield Energyfarm Limited National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc National Grid Electricity Distribution (East Midlands) plc Natural England

Upcoming meetings and hearings All events will take place at Horwood House, Mursley Road, Little Horwood, Milton Keynes MK17 0PH, with the option to attend virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Preliminary Meeting Tuesday 24 February 2026 – 9:30am Open Floor Hearing 1 Tuesday 24 February 2026 – 1:30pm (Reserve session: Wednesday 25 February 2026 – 9:30am, if required) Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 Wednesday 25 February 2026 – 1:30pm (Reserve session: Thursday 26 February 2026 – 9:30am, if required)

The Rule 6 letter also explains how interested parties can request to speak at the hearings and outlines the procedure that will be followed.

Further information Residents can view the full Rule 6 letter and all published documents on the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website: 👉 https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

The Planning Inspectorate has published a further project update in relation to the proposed Rosefield Solar Farm, which is being considered as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008.

Examining Authority request for clarification and additional information The Examining Authority has formally published its decision to request clarification and additional information from the applicant. This follows a review of relevant representations submitted by statutory bodies, local authorities and other interested parties. The purpose of these requests is to ensure that the examination of the application can be conducted and completed within the statutory timeframe.

The requests cover a wide range of matters, including (but not limited to):

Biodiversity and ecological surveys Landscape, visual and heritage impacts Human health effects and assessment methodology Flood risk, groundwater and contaminated land Highway works and infrastructure impacts Accuracy of land ownership and Book of Reference details

The applicant has been asked to confirm how these matters will be addressed, including whether amendments to the application or supporting documents are required and the proposed timescales for submission of further information.

Acceptance of additional submissions The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept additional submissions outside the normal timetable. These include submissions from:

Thames Water Utilities Limited Rosefield Energyfarm Limited

Examination Library update The Examination Library has been updated to reflect the above documents and correspondence.

Next steps The applicant has been requested to submit the required information by 23 January 2026. This information will assist the Examining Authority in finalising arrangements for the preliminary meeting and the next stages of the examination process.

Granborough Parish Council will continue to monitor the application and provide updates on the website as further information becomes available.

Relevant documents can be viewed via the Planning Inspectorate’s Rosefield Solar Farm project pages.

Examining Authority letter – 9 January 2026

The Planning Inspectorate has issued further updates in relation to the proposed Rosefield Solar Farm, which is being considered as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008.

Unaccompanied Site Inspections (USI) Members of the Examining Authority carried out unaccompanied site inspections on 25 and 26 November 2025. These inspections were undertaken on publicly accessible land only and included a wide range of locations across the proposed development area and surrounding villages. The inspections considered matters such as landscape and visual effects, heritage settings, public rights of way, proposed access routes, construction compounds, battery energy storage systems, substations, and proposed highway works.

Examining Authority procedural decisions and information requests On 15 December 2025, the Examining Authority issued a formal letter under Section 89(3) of the Planning Act 2008 setting out a number of procedural decisions and requests for further information from the applicant. These include requests for clarification on:

The extent of proposed highway works and whether these fall within the defined order limits How certain highway and abnormal load route works would be authorised Whether updates to order limits, compulsory acquisition or temporary possession of land may be required Consideration of neighbourhood plan policies within the application documentation Clarification and corrections to landscape, visual and cultural heritage figures Confirmation of whether artificial intelligence has been used in submitted application material

The Examining Authority has requested that the applicant submits additional or updated information by 9 January 2026, unless otherwise stated.

Next steps The project remains in the pre-examination stage. Further opportunities for public and interested party engagement will take place as the examination process progresses.

Copies of the Planning Inspectorate letters are available to view below.

EN010158-000412-Section 89(3) letter

EN010158-000413-EV25 – USI note – Nov 2025

East Claydon Parish Council recently hosted a public presentation relating to the proposed Rosefield Solar Farm Development Consent Order (DCO) application.

The session provided residents with information about the scale of the proposal, the DCO process, and how individuals can participate by submitting their own representations directly to the Planning Inspectorate. Residents were encouraged to register as Interested Parties and to submit comments reflecting their personal views and any local impacts they wish the Examining Authority to consider.

A leaflet shared at the meeting, which summarises key points raised and provides signposting to further information and registration links, will be uploaded to this website for reference.

The Parish Council has already registered as an Interested Party to ensure the parish’s views are represented during the Examination and will continue to keep residents informed as the process progresses.

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has now accepted the application for the proposed Rosefield Solar Farm (675 hectares / 1,667 acres) for Examination. This means the project has moved into the Pre-Examination stage of the Development Consent Order (DCO) process.

Because this is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, the decision will be made by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Government, not by Buckinghamshire Council.

Have Your Say Residents, local groups and landowners now have a limited time to register as an Interested Party if they wish to comment, object, support, or provide evidence during the examination.

The deadline to register is: 11:59pm on 12 December 2025.

Register here: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/having-your-say-guide/registering-have-your-say

Registering ensures your views can be formally considered later in the process.

Where to View the Application Documents: The full application, maps and environmental assessments can be viewed online:

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

Paper copies are also available to view at:

Winslow Library Buckingham Library Bicester Library Aylesbury Library If assistance is needed, call: 0303 444 5000 (Reference: EN010158).

Parish Council Registration The Parish Council has already registered as an Interested Party to ensure the parish’s views are included in the Examination. We will share further updates as the process progresses.

Granborough Parish Council has received two formal letters regarding the Rosefield Solar Farm Development Consent Order (DCO) application, which has now been accepted by the Secretary of State for examination under the Planning Act 2008.

The letters provide information about the application, how to view the submitted documents, and how residents can register to make a Relevant Representation during the pre-examination stage (open until 11:59 pm on 12 December 2025).

You can read both documents here: 📄Rosefield Section 56 letter to prescribed consultees 📄Rosefield – S56 Reg 8 notice

A location plan showing the proposed development area is also available to view below.

Further details about the application and examination process can be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s website: 👉 https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has confirmed, by letter dated 23rd October 2025 that they have formally accepted the application for Rosefield Solar Farm for Examination which covers an area of 675 hectares (1,667 acres).

The planning application ( known as a Development Consent Order) is one of a number of nationally significant infrastructure projects which, due to their scale and complexity are not determined at local level by the Council (Buchinghamshire Council in our case as the Local planning Authority), but by PINS on behalf of the Government.

There is a limited time of a month for anyone to register their interest in this project which will allow you to make representations to PINS which will culminate in the DCO application being considered at an examination.

There is a considerable amount of information that can be found on this application by following the link below:

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010158

To register follow this link:

https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/having-your-say-guide/registering-have-your-say

The Parish Council will be shortly registering our interest as a Parish Council.

The Chair of Granborough Parish Council recently attended a Buckinghamshire Council briefing on 24 September 2025 about the proposed Rosefield Solar Farm, a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

The proposed development would be located east of Calvert, south, west, and north-east of Botolph Claydon, and west of Shipton Lee, with a connection to the East Claydon substation. It would generate more than 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity and includes battery storage.

The application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) was expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) at the end of September 2025. Once submitted, PINS will have 28 days to decide whether to accept it for examination.

If accepted, the developer must publish notices and invite the public to register as Interested Parties during a 30-day registration period. This is known as the Relevant Representation stage — when individuals, community groups, and organisations can formally comment on the application.

Granborough residents will be able to view full details, including how to register and comment, once the application is accepted. The Parish Council will share this information as soon as it becomes available.

For more information and to sign up for project updates, visit: 🔗 Rosefield Solar Farm – Planning Inspectorate project page

You can also view the presentation slides from the Buckinghamshire Council briefing here: Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project Rosefield Solar Farm Member-Parish Briefing 24.09.2025

Granborough Parish Council has received a further letter from Rosefield Energy Farm Ltd as part of the ongoing statutory consultation running from 21 May to 16 July 2025. This update specifically relates to archaeological trial trenching and cultural heritage findings within the proposed Rosefield Solar Farm site.

Recent archaeological assessments in Parcel 3 (the area proposed for the Rosefield Substation and Main Collector Compound) have identified settlement activity dating from the Iron Age or Romano-British era. These findings have now been classified as having “medium sensitivity,” which has resulted in an updated PEIR Addendum (Preliminary Environmental Information Report) and adjustments to the proposed mitigation measures.

The updated information, including the revised PEIR Addendum, is available at: ? www.rosefieldsolarfarm.co.uk/document-library

? Rosefield – Cultural Heritage Update Letter (PDF)

Rosefield is inviting feedback specifically on this new cultural heritage information and how it may impact the proposed layout. This is part of their commitment to transparency before submitting a Development Consent Order (DCO) later this year.

? How to Respond: Submit comments by 11:59pm on 16 July 2025 via: • Email: info@rosefieldsolarfarm.co.uk • Post: Rosefield Solar Farm, FREEPOST SEC Newgate UK LOCAL

Granborough Parish Council has received updated consultation documents from Rosefield Energy Farm Ltd regarding two targeted changes to the proposed Rosefield Solar Farm. These include:

A minor addition to the site boundary to incorporate an existing HS2 access track. Layout changes to the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), Main Collector Compound, and Rosefield Substation—removing previously proposed locations near Granborough Road and consolidating the infrastructure near East Claydon.

The full details and plans can be viewed on their website in the following blog post: ? Targeted Consultation on Changes to the Proposed Operational Layout of Rosefield Solar Farm (21 May – 16 July)

For convenience, the consultation letters are available to download here: ? Additional Land Letter (PDF) ? Layout Changes Letter (PDF)

Alternatively, the full documents and plans can be accessed via this WeTransfer link (available for a limited time): ? https://we.tl/t-VVOuAc0wI2

The deadline to submit feedback directly to the developer is 11:59pm on Tuesday, 16 July 2025. Submissions can be made via email to info@rosefieldsolarfarm.co.uk or by post (Freepost address available in the letter).

Good afternoon,

I am writing to provide an update on Rosefield Solar Farm, following consultation on our updated plans which took place last year (18 September – 5 December 2024).

As part of the Rosefield site falls within or near to your parish, we wanted to update you on recent activity and signpost where you can find out more information should any of your parishioners have any queries.

Updates to our layout

Feedback received during our last consultation has allowed us to further reduce our site boundary by 11% (1,906 to 1,689 acres). we have also created additional bespoke offsets from properties and woodlands, and have also narrowed down potential locations for elements such as the battery storage facility and Rosefield Substation. This layout (right) will form the basis of our DCO application.

A plan showing all of the changes made to our design has been included within a Community Update newsletter sent out to all properties within our inner zone of consultation (see here). An electronic version of this plan and the newsletter is also available on our website: www.rosefieldsolarfarm.co.uk/document-library.

For some of these proposed changes, we are consulting with people with a legal interest in the land and relevant statutory and non-statutory bodies such as local and parish councils. These changes include the minor addition of an access track into our proposed Site boundary and proposed changes to the location of elements including the project substation and battery storage facility in Parcel 3.

We will publish an addendum to the PEIR at the start of the consultation period (21 May) to confirm there would be no further significant environmental effects anticipated as a result of the proposed changes. A post sharing more information about these consultations is available here: https://rosefieldsolarfarm.co.uk/2025/05/targeted-consultation-on-changes-to-the-proposed-operational-layout/

Next steps

We are currently preparing our DCO Application, which we anticipate submitting later this year (Summer/Autumn 2025). Should our application be accepted for examination, we will be back in touch with you and the community to share more information about how to participate in the next steps of the process.

In addition, we remain very happy to meet with you to discuss the project should you wish to find out more.

This is the latest Newsletter from Rosefield Solar (September 2024) This is the accompanying letter sent to Granborough Parish Council

Just to confirm that members of the Parish Council, will attend this meeting.

Buckinghamshire Council held a Rosefield Solar Farm DCO briefing on Tuesday, September 24th 2024 which members of the Parish Council attended. These are the slides used at the briefing.

Please see below correspondence sent on behalf of Sarah Armstrong, Major Development Manager.

Rosefield Solar Farm – Statement of Community Consultation.

Within the Development Consent Order an important document is the Statement of Community Cohesion (SoCC). This document sets out how an applicant proposes to consult the community about a proposed development. Within the process there is an opportunity for the host local authority to advise the applicant on how the community consultation should be conducted.

It is good practice for the applicant to provide an initial draft for the Council to comment upon before formally submitting the draft SoCC. As you will be aware from the last local member and parish briefing the applicant did provide an initial draft where the applicant sought initial feedback on the scope of the draft SoCC before submitting it formally for comment.

The benefit of this exercise allowed Buckinghamshire Council, as the host authority, to review the scope of the consultation exercise and make comment and raise any concerns to the Applicant so we may influence the SoCC before it is submitted formally for comment.

The initial assessment of the draft Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) led to a series of suggestions aimed at refining the consultation strategy. These suggestions included the provision of more comprehensive details regarding the project proposals, a clearer definition of the timeline for the mandatory consultation, and assurance of conformity with the most recent pre-application process guidelines. Crucially the Council also advised that the duration of the consultation be prolonged to afford sufficient time for community input.

The Planning Act 2008 states that a developer must give a local authority 28 days to comment on the draft SoCC, starting on the day after the local authority receives it. This exercise will inform a Consultation Report that will be submitted as part of the DCO application.

Please note that the developer is expected to have regard to any comments provided by the local authority at this stage but is not required to act on them. However, any disagreement about the effectiveness of the methodology used for consultation may have a bearing on the acceptance decision when the Development Consent Order (DCO) application is submitted.

We are now writing to advise you that the draft was submitted to the Council on 11th July and is available to view here:

https://publicaccess.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=simple&searchType=Application

The reference is 24/02089/DCO

The legislation requires the applicants to consult with the relevant local authority or authorities about the content of the draft SoCC, providing advice on the appropriateness of an applicant’s suggested community consultation techniques and methods. There is no statutory requirement for an applicant to consult with the local community on the content of a SoCC. However, there is a requirement to make the SoCC available for inspection by the public, publishing the statement and a newspaper notice stating where and when the statement can be inspected.

The process so far

We are still in the pre-application stage of the DCO process and this is the work that the applicant will undertake to prepare their application through to its submission to the Planning Inspectorate. Key statutory milestones during pre-application include:

consultation on, and publication of, a Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC);

This is the stage that the applicant has just reached i.e. consultation of the SoCC.

where applicable, preparation of a screening opinion, scoping opinion and preliminary environmental information associated with any Environmental Statement to be submitted as part of the application;

The applicant submitted their scoping report at the end of last year and the Planning Inspectorate issued a Scoping Opinion which identified further work the applicant was required to undertake. We are aware that the applicant continues to work on the preliminary environmental information report (PEIR)

notification of the proposed application to the Planning Inspectorate acting on behalf of the Secretary of State;

This has occurred and we are in the pre-application process. This is not the submission of the application.

statutory consultation with specified bodies, any persons with interests in the affected land, and communities;

This has not occurred but the SoCC is the mechanism to identify how that consultation will take place.

preparation of a consultation report; and

submission of the application documentation to the Planning Inspectorate.

There is a very limited time window (28 days) for the Council to respond to the formal draft SoCC and it is not sufficient time to allow us to consult formally with the community. So, the purpose of the email to provide you with the information about the SoCC remembering it is not the final consultation process but a statement which describes how the applicant propose to consult the local community about the project and then, ultimately, carry out the consultation in accordance with the statement.