1. NOTICE OF APPLICATION ACCEPTANCE

1.1. Notice is hereby given that the Planning Inspectorate (on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (‘the Secretary of State’) has accepted an application made by STEEPLE SOLAR FARM LIMITED (registered company number: 13889253) of Beaufort Court, Egg Farm Lane Station Road, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8LR (‘the Applicant’) for a Development Consent Order under the Planning Act 2008 (‘the Application’). The Application (Reference No. EN010163) was submitted by the Applicant to the Secretary of State via the Planning Inspectorate on Wednesday 14 May 2025 and was accepted for examination on Wednesday 11 June 2025.

2. SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

2.1. Steeple Renewables Project consists of a solar photovoltaic (PV) array electricity generating facility, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and associated infrastructure, which would allow for the generation and export of up to 600 megawatts located in Sturton-le-Steeple in the administrative boundary of Bassetlaw District Council (‘the Proposed Development’).

2.2. The Proposed Development comprises nine connected land areas adjacent to West Burton Power Station. The Proposed Development will connect to the grid via the National Grid Substation at West Burton Power Station, which will transfer electricity into the national electricity network.

2.3. The main elements of the proposed development include:

• Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and associated infrastructure (e.g. PV module mounting infrastructure, inverters, transformers and switchgear);

• Cable infrastructure (including high, medium, and low voltage power, earthing, communication, and control);

• Substation compound housing an onsite substation and control buildings;

• Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) compound house Battery Storage Enclosures (BSE) and associated infrastructure;

• Fencing and security measures;

• Internal access tracks and crane hardstandings;

• Site entrances onto the highway;

• Temporary construction areas, worker facilities, compounds, and infrastructure;

• Landscaping including creation of new habitat areas;

• Permissive paths; and

• Biodiversity mitigation.

2.4. The Proposed Development is a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP) because it would be able to generate over 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity. This is an application made to the Planning Inspectorate and decided by the Secretary of State in accordance with the Planning Act 2008.

2.5. A map showing the location of the Proposed Development can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website at the following address: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010163/documents

2.6. The DCO, if granted, would authorise the compulsory acquisition of land, interests in land and rights over land, and the powers to use land permanently and temporarily for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Proposed Development. The DCO would also authorise the construction of temporary and permanent accesses to the Proposed Development, the temporary stopping up or diversion of public rights of way, street works, and highway works, and the application and disapplication of certain legislation.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESMENT

3.1. Due to its nature and size, the Proposed Development is classified as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development for the purposes of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. An EIA has therefore been undertaken for the Proposed Development and the Application is accompanied by an Environmental Statement which reports on the EIA.

4. APPLICATION FORM AND ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS

4.1. The Application form and its accompanying documents including the draft DCO, plans, maps, the Environmental Statement and Non-technical Summary (NTS) (‘Application Documents’) can be viewed online, or downloaded free of charge, from the Steeple Renewables Project page of the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website under the Documents tab: https://nationalinfrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010163

4.2. The Application Documents can also be viewed and downloaded free of charge on the Applicant’s document page: https://steeplesolarfarm.consultationonline.co.uk/documents/.

4.3. The Application Documents will be available on both above websites at least until the Secretary of State makes their decision whether or not to grant the Development Consent Order.

4.4. On request, an electronic copy of the Application Documents can also be provided free of charge on a USB memory stick, which will be limited to one USB per household or business. To request a USB, please contact the Applicant using the contact details provided at the end of this notice.

4.5. The Application Documents are available to view electronically free of charge from 17July 2025 and closes at 23:59 on 28 August 2025 at the location and times set out below:

*Please note that opening hours are subject to change. Please check and confirm opening times with the venue if planning a visit.

4.6. USBs with the Application Documents uploaded will also be available to take away at Retford Library (17 Churchgate, Retford, DN22 6PE from 7 July 2025.

4.7. The Application Documents can be supplied in hard copy format on request at a cost of £0.35 per page (up to a maximum of £4,200 for the full suite of documents).

5. MAKING REPRESENTATIONS

4.6. Any person may make a Relevant Representation on the Application to the Secretary of State (i.e. give notice of any interest in, or objection to, the Application) between 17 July 2025 and 23:59 on 28 August 2025, (the Relevant Representation Period). Relevant Representations must be made directly to the Planning Inspectorate. By submitting a Relevant Representation you will become an Interested Party, which gives you the right to make further representations about the Application during the examination process.

4.7. Any Relevant Representations must be made on the Planning Inspectorate’s Registration and Relevant Representation Form and give the grounds on which it is made. The Registration and Relevant Representation Form will be made available by the Inspectorate once the registration/relevant representation period has opened on the Planning Inspectorate’s website: https://national-infrastructureconsenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010163

4.8. Forms completed in hard-copy should be sent to The Planning Inspectorate, National Infrastructure Directorate, Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN. The Planning Inspectorate reference for the Application (EN010163) should be quoted in any correspondence.

4.9. Please note that Relevant Representations must be received by the Planning Inspectorate by 23:59 on 28 August 2025.

4.10. If you require guidance, or other methods to obtain and complete a copy of the Planning Inspectorate’s Registration and Relevant Representation Form, please contact the Planning Inspectorate by telephone 0303 444 5000 or email SteepleRenewables@planninginspectorate.gov.uk, quoting the name of the Application (Steeple Renewables Project) and the Inspectorate’s reference number EN010163.

4.11. The Planning Inspectorate’s guidance Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects: How to register to have your say and make a relevant representation provides further guidance on how to register and make a relevant representation and can be accessed via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/ guidance/nationally-significant-infrastructure-projects-how-to-register-tohave-your-say-and-make-a-relevant-representation.

4.12. Relevant Representations will be made public and will be subject to the Planning Inspectorate’s privacy policy at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ planning-inspectorate-privacy-notices

Applicant Contact Details

4.13. If you have any questions about the Application Documents or wish to request copies on a USB and/or hard copy, you can:

• Email: info@steeplerenewablesproject.co.uk

• Post: FREEPOST Steeple Renewables Project (no stamp required)

• Phone: 0115 718 2070.