Little Crow Solar Park development consent decision announced

The Little Crow Solar Park application was for an Energy scheme comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic arrays, electrical storage, grid connection infrastructure and other infrastructure integral to its construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning. The solar park will have an intended design capacity of over 50MWp (megawatts peak).

The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by INRG SOLAR (Little Crow) Ltd on 04 December 2020 and accepted for Examination on 23 December 2020.

Following Examinations during which the public, Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 05 January 2022. 

This is the 109th Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and 68th energy application to have been examined by The Planning Inspectorate within the timescales laid down in the Planning Act 2008. 

The Planning Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Sarah Richards said: 

“The Planning Inspectorate has now examined more than 100 nationally significant infrastructure projects since the Planning Act 2008 process was introduced, ensuring local communities have had the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. 

“This Examination took place during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions, and the Examining Authority worked hard to ensure that local people, the local authority and other Interested Parties were able to fully participate.

“The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to local views and the evidence gathered during the examination before making their recommendation.”  

The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website. 

ENDS 

Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning  Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:  <Press.office@planninginspectorate.gov.uk >

Notes to editors: 

The Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Programme of Projects details the proposals which are anticipated to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as applications in the coming months.