News
01-10-2014

Dogger Bank Teesside A&B examination hearings start this month

The hearings for the examination of the development consent order application for the proposed Dogger Bank Teesside A&B wind farms will start this month (Tuesday, October 14).

Dogger Bank Teesside A&B comprises two 1.2 gigawatt (GW) wind farms located 165 kilometres from the UK coast at their closest point and is planned to connect to the national grid at the existing Lackenby substation near Eston, in the Borough of Redcar & Cleveland.

The hearings are part of a six-month examination phase by the Planning Inspectorate, aimed to ensure that the application for the 2.4GW project can be discussed openly between Forewind and anyone with an interest in the development, including the local community.

They provide an opportunity to explore the various elements of the application and ask questions or gain clarity on any aspects as needed.

Consent manager Andy Guyton said the hearings will be open-floor – with interested parties invited to attend – or will focus on specific issues, detailing key areas such as construction impacts or the natural environment.

“Information about the hearings will be published in local newspapers, on the Forewind website and on the National Infrastructure Planning Portal, where agendas will also be published seven days before the hearings,” he said.

The hearings will all take place at The Council Chamber, Redcar & Cleveland House (Community Heart), Kirkleatham Street Redcar Cleveland TS10 1TD.

Anyone interested in attending the hearings should register and check the schedule before attending, in case of any changes, with the current calendar as follows:

Date (2014) Type of hearing (subject to need)
Tuesday 14 October

Issue specific hearing covering:

- biodiversity effects

- Habitat Regulations Assessment

- geological effects.
Wednesday 15 October

Issue specific hearing covering:

- fisheries resource sustainability

- other natural environment

considerations.
Thursday 16 October

Issue specific hearing covering:

- draft Development Consent Order
Tuesday 11 – Wednesday 12 November

Issue specific hearing covering:

- onshore and offshore construction impacts

- onshore and offshore social and economic impacts

- onshore traffic and transportation impacts

- effects of existing and/or proposed land or sea uses on the application and vice versa

- natural environment issues (if required)

- Habitats Regulations Assessment (if required)

An open-floor hearing will also be held on 11 November from 6pm.
Tuesday 2 December

Issue specific hearing covering:

- biodiversity effects

- Habitat Regulations Assessment

- natural environment issues.
Wednesday 3 December

Issue specific hearing covering:

- Development Consent Order

- individual proposed changes

- security methods, protective provisions and agreements.

The six-month examination phase is due to be completed by February next year and the outcome from that will be a recommendation to the Secretary of State who will make the final consent decision, expected around August 2015.

DVD or hard copies of the application documents are available to review at local libraries in Redcar & Cleveland and to download from the Forewind website www.forewind.co.uk.

To follow the progress of the development, interested parties can visit the National Infrastructure Planning Portal: http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/yorkshire-and-the-humber/dogger-bank-teesside-ab/