BSSL Cambsbed 1 Limited (formerly RNA CAMBSBED1 Ltd) is proposing a Development Consent Order (DCO) to install solar photovoltaic panels and battery storage technology, as well as associated infrastructure which will connect to the national grid, in the district of Huntingdonshire, and over the border into Bedfordshire. The proposals will be determined by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The project falls into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) process defined through the Planning Act 2008 (as amended), and will be considered under Part 3 Section 14 of the legislation because the generating station is located in England and has a generating capacity of over 50 megawatts (see section 15(2) of the 2008 Act). Responsibility for accepting and examining the NSIP application rests with the Secretary of State and not the local authorities, who are identified as statutory consultees, or ‘host’ authorities, in the NSIP process. There are three ‘host’ authorities (Cambridgeshire County Council, Bedford Borough Council and Huntingdonshire District Council) involved in this NSIP project. All three ‘host’ planning authorities are working together to ensure full scrutiny of this project is undertaken.
Have your say
It is important to note that as the ‘host’ planning authorities are not the determining authorities, any correspondence in relation to this matter needs to be directed to BSSL Cambsbed 1 Limited in the first instance and then the Planning Inspectorate.
Details of BSSL Cambsbed 1 Limited proposals, including consultation material to date is available on the East Park Energy website.
For further details of the NSIP process for this project, and how you get involved please visit the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) website.
Consultation
The project is currently at the pre-application stage. The Statutory Consultation was held between 24 September 2024 and Tuesday 29 October 2024. The scheme application is anticipated to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in 2025.
Read more about the project on the Planning Inspectorate’s webpage.
