Notice is hereby given that the (the “Secretary of State”) has accepted an application (the “Application”) by Enso Green Holdings D Limited (Company No. 12762856) of Ropemaker Place, 28 Ropemaker Street, London, EC2Y 9HD (the “Applicant”) for a Development Consent Order (“DCO”) under the Planning Act 2008. The Application (Reference No. EN010140) was submitted by the Applicant to the Secretary of State via the Planning Inspectorate on 02 July 2024 and was accepted for examination on 30 July 2024.

Summary of the Proposed Development

The Helios Renewable Energy Project (the “Proposed Development”) comprises the installation of ground mounted solar arrays, battery energy storage system and associated development comprising grid connection infrastructure and other associated infrastructure including inverters, transformers, switchgear, storage containers, cabling, fencing and CCTV which are integral to the construction, operation (including maintenance) and decommissioning of the development for the delivery of over 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

The site of the Proposed Development is situated on approximately 475 ha of land to the south-west of the village of Camblesforth and to the north of the village of Hirst Courtney, within the administrative area of North Yorkshire Council. Underground cabling will run from an on-site substation to a grid connection at the National Grid Drax Substation (located to the west of Drax Power Station) and will be situated within the highway and offroad. A map showing the location of the Proposed Development can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website at the following link: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010140

Development consent is required to the extent that development is or forms part of a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) pursuant to sections 14(1)(a) and 15(1) and 15(2) of the Planning Act 2008, as it comprises an onshore generating station in England with a capacity greater than 50 MW. It is for this reason that the Proposed Development falls within the remit of the Secretary of State’s decision-making powers under the Planning Act 2008 and requires to be consented through a DCO.

The DCO, if granted, would authorise the compulsory acquisition of rights over land (including the imposition of restrictive covenants), and powers for the temporary possession and use of land. The DCO would also authorise alterations to the layout of streets, the construction of temporary and permanent accesses to the Proposed Development, the temporary stopping up or diversion of public rights of way (and vehicular access to be taken over such rights of way), street and highway works, the removal of hedgerows and the application and disapplication of legislation.

Environmental Impact Assessment Development

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. This means that the Proposed Development constitutes development for which an EIA is required. The Application is therefore accompanied by an Environmental Statement.

Application form and accompanying documents

The Application form and its accompanying documents (including accompanying plans, maps, the Environmental Statement and Non-Technical Summary, and the draft Order (together, the “Application Documents”)) can be viewed and downloaded free of charge online on the Helios Renewable Energy Project page of the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website under the Documents tab until at least the end of the Relevant Representation period on 30 September 2024: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010140/documents

The Application documents can also be viewed on the project website until at least the end of the Relevant Representation period as stated above. These can be accessed through the following link - https://www.helios-renewable-energy-project.co.uk/

An electronic copy of the Application documents can be supplied free of charge on a USB memory stick. To request a USB, please email info@helios-renewable-energy-project.co.uk, write to FREEPOST TC CONSULTATION (free of charge; no need for a stamp or further address details) or telephone 0800 6990081 (free of charge).

Application documents can be made available in hard copy format on request to the Applicant. Document requests can be made using the contact details at the bottom of this notice. Please note that reasonable charge for printing costs may apply. Requests may be made for documents in bespoke or alternative formats (for example in large print, audio or braille formats) or specific individual documents. Given the size and format of the Application documents, a full suite of documents to publication specifications will incur a charge of £5,000.

Making Representations

Becoming an Interested Party gives you the right to make representations about the Application to the Planning Inspectorate during the examination process. Any person may register as an Interested Party by submitting a Relevant Representation on the Application during the representation period, which must be made directly to the Planning Inspectorate. Any representations (giving notice of any interest in, or objection to, the Application) must be made on the Planning Inspectorate’s Registration and Relevant Representation Form. The Registration and Relevant Representation Form can be accessed and completed online from 22 August 2024 on the Planning Inspectorate’s website: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010140

If you require guidance, or other methods to obtain and complete a hard copy of the Planning Inspectorate’s Registration and Relevant Representation Form, please telephone 0303 444 5000. Completed forms should be sent to The Planning Inspectorate, National Infrastructure Directorate, Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN. The Application reference (EN010140) should be quoted in any correspondence.

The Planning Inspectorate’s Guidance on Registering to have your say about a national infrastructure project, provides further guidance on how to register and make a relevant representation and can be accessed via the following link: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/having-your-say-guide/registering-have-your-say

Please note that representations must be received by the Planning Inspectorate by 11:59pm on 30 September 2024.

It should be noted that personal data, such as the name of persons over 18, will be published alongside a representation. If you do not wish personal data to be made publicly available, you should state why when submitting the representation. If necessary, the Planning Inspectorate will publish the representations with your name and personal data redacted. Please note that all representations submitted will be published on the Planning Inspectorate’s website and will be subject to their privacy policy, found online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-inspectorate-privacy-notices/customer-privacy-notice

Contact us

Further information about the Application may be obtained from the Applicant, through the contact details provided below.

· Call (Freephone): 0800 6990081 and leave a message

· Post: FREEPOST TC CONSULTATION (no further address or stamp required)

· Email: info@helios-renewable-energy-project.co.uk