Sunnica Ltd was granted consent for a 500MW Solar Energy Farm with battery storage facilities by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on Friday 12 July 2024.
Sunnica's project covers over 2,400 acres of land near Burwell, Isleham, Chippenham, Fordham, Kennett and Snailwell in East Cambridgeshire as well as areas of West Suffolk. It will connect to the national grid at the Burwell National Grid Substation.
More information, including the Secretary of State's decision letter and the Planning Inspectorate's (PINs) recommendation report can be found on the project website.
As Sunnica proposes to generate over 50 MW of electricity, the project is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). NSIPs are subject to a process defined through the Planning Act 2008 (as amended). This project was considered under Part 3 Section 14 of the legislation. Responsibility for accepting and examining NSIP applications rest with the Secretary of State not local authorities.
The decision was made by the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero following a review of Sunnica's planning application by The Planning Inspectorate as the Examining Authority.
Councillors from all parties on Cambridgeshire County Council joined together at the July 2021 Full Council meeting to oppose Sunnica’s proposals. The project was also opposed by East Cambridgeshire District Council, Suffolk County Council and West Suffolk District Council as well as the area’s local MPs at the time and hundreds of local residents.
The role of local authorities
Local authorities are identified as statutory consultees, known as 'host' authorities, in the NSIP process. Local authorities have a duty to work with the Examining Authority and provide information about the local area. They do not have decision making powers over the determination of the planning application.
As Sunnica's locations span Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, there are four 'host' authorities (Cambridgeshire County Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Suffolk County Council and West Suffolk Council) involved in this NSIP project. All four'host' planning authorities have undertaken to work together as far as possible.
For further details of the NSIP process, please visit the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) website.
Details of Sunnica Ltd plans are also available on their website.
Examination
Throughout the Examination period (September 2022 to March 2023), Cambridgeshire County Council submitted responses as required by the Planning Inspectorate. They include a Local Impact Report (produced jointly with West Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council) and Written Representation, amongst others. All submissions can be found in the Examination Document Library.
The Examination closed on 28 March 2023. The Examining Authority had three months following the end of examination to write its summary report and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State. This report was issued to the Secretary of State on 28 June 2023.
The Secretary of State set new deadlines to make a decision on this application which was initially 7 December 2023, then 7 March 2024, then 11 April 2024 and then 20 June 2024. Statements confirming these new deadlines for a decision were made to the House of Commons and House of Lords, in accordance with section 107(7) of the Planning Act 2008. The 20 June deadline was further delayed due to the 2024 General Election.
Decision
On 12 July 2024 the Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero made the decision to grant consent to the Development Consent Order Application by Sunnica Ltd for the Solar Energy project.
Alongside the decision notice The Planning Inspectorate's (PINs) recommendation report to the Secretary of State was made publicly available.
Order Correction
On 12 November 2024, the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero issued a Correction Notice and Correction Order to make revisions to the Sunnica Solar Energy Order 2024 following consultation.
These can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate's Sunnica Energy Farm documents webpage for this project.
