Equinor’s development consent order (DCO) application for Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm Extensions, off east England’s coast, has been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate.
The Government body has accepted for examination the application submitted by Equinor on behalf of its partners to develop the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm Extensions (SEP and DEP), both of which are situated off the North Norfolk coast.
After the application for a DCO was submitted by Equinor in early September 2022, the Planning Inspectorate had 28 days to decide whether the application was sufficient to be accepted for examination.
Equinor’s Project Director Kari Hege Mørk said: “We are very pleased with this decision, and we will be offering our full co-operation to the Planning Inspectorate throughout the coming examination period.
“As we have developed these projects over the last three years, we have sought to find ways to maximise local benefits and minimise disruption.
“We have consulted widely with the local community throughout the process, including two rounds of community consultation and a series of public information days, and we will continue to maintain proactive community communications throughout the examination period.”
Following extensive consultation, Equinor has integrated several design changes into SEP and DEP to mitigate local disruption.
Additionally, opportunities for Biodiversity Net Gain are being assessed through engagement with local communities and nature conservation bodies, to enhance local wildlife habitats.
Prior to the examination, a statutory consultation lasting until the 14 November 2022 will be undertaken which will provide SEP and DEP stakeholders with the opportunity to formally register their interest in the projects and the examination, and to review and comment on Equinor’s accepted application.