The Planning Process
As East Pye Solar’s expected generation capacity exceeds 100MW, the project is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).
The development consenting regime for an NISP comes under the Planning Act 2008. This means that we need to submit an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to construct, operate and decommissioning East Pye Solar to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) rather than the local authority.
In the case of energy related NSIPS, PINS acts on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. PINS will carry out an examination of our application and then will make a final recommendation to the Secretary of State on whether to grant consent for East Pye Solar.
We anticipate the development process through DCO submission and examination will take between two to three years. We submitted our DCO application to PINS, who will administer the application on behalf of the Secretary of State, in March 2026. Subject to achieving consent, construction would start no earlier than 2028.
While our DCO application was not submitted to the local planning authorities, Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk Council and stakeholder groups will play a key role in the planning process and will be consulted as the Scheme progresses.
You can find more information about the application process for NSIPs on PINS’ website here.
Please see below our timeline, noting that all dates are indicative and may be subject to change.
Examination hearings
The first round of hearings for East Pye Solar are due to take place from Tuesday 15 September to Thursday 17 September 2026 at Dunston Hall, Ipswich Road, Norwich, NR14 8PQ.
Preliminary Meeting - Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 10am
This the formal start of the examination. The Examining Authority will explain how the examination will be conducted, confirm the timetable, outline the key issues they intend to investigate, and explain how interested parties can participate through the process. The merits of the Scheme are not usually debated at this meeting.
Open Floor Hearing 1 - Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 2pm
Interested Parties will have the opportunity to speak directly to the Examining Authority about the Scheme. Speakers can raise concerns, offer support, share local knowledge, or highlight issues they believe the examination should focus on.
Open Floor Hearing 2 - Wednesday 16 September 2026 at 10am
A second opportunity for interested parties to make oral representations if there are more speakers than can be accommodated in the first session, or if additional matters need to be raised.
Issue Specific Hearing 1 - Wednesday 16 September at 2pm
This hearing will focus on:
Site selection
The scope of the Scheme
The draft Development Consent Order (DCO)
This discussion is expected to be more structured and technical than the Open Floor Hearings, with the Examining Authority directing questions to the Applicant, local authorities and other interested parties.
Issue Specific Hearing 1 (cont.) - Thursday 17 September at 10am
The hearing will continue if required, allowing further examination of the Scheme’s site selection, development scope and the draft DCO.
How to take part
Further rounds of hearings are scheduled to take place in November and December 2026. The Rule 8 Letter, published after the Preliminary Meeting, will provide further information on how you can take part.
If you have any questions about the hearings, please do get in touch with the Community Relations Team using the contact details at the bottom of this page.
