The Development Consent Order:
As explained in the National Infrastructure Planning explanation of the process there are six stages to the DCO process.
The 1st stage commenced in 2012, with the first of 4 stages of consultation SZC Consultation Responses
The 2nd stage of the process started on 27th May 2020 when EDF submitted the DCO application to the Planning Inspectorate. The submission was made, despite many individuals and local authorities calling on EDF to delay until the restrictions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic have been lifted, concerns have been voiced with regard to a fair and transparent review process being possible when individuals, businesses and local authorities, are having to focus on the health and financial worries arising from the pandemic. Despite many having expressed concerns about EDF’s poor consultation, PINS accepted the DCO application on 24th June 2020. On the 25th June 2020 EDF published the DCO documents on the PINS website.
The 3rd stage, the Pre-Examination phase, runs from 8th July 2020 to 30th September 2020 and this is the period during which the public are able to review the huge volume of documents comprising the DCO application. You then need to make a written “Relevant Representation” to PINS outlining your concerns with the project and register with them as an “Interested Party” in order to be able to take part in the next stage, the Examination. The DCO documentation can be found on the PINS website.
Once TASC have had a chance to review the DCO application documents, we will be offering advice on how to make your Relevant Representation.
