Energy Infrastructure: Development Consent Application Deadlines

Martin McCluskey Excerpts

Thursday 26th March 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Martin McCluskey)]

This statement concerns three separate applications for development consent made under the Planning Act 2008 by:

North Falls Offshore Wind Ltd for offshore wind turbines approximately 24.5 km from the port of Lowestoft, including onshore connection to the electricity transmission network. The current statutory deadline for the decision is 28 April 2026.

Morgan Offshore Wind Ltd and Morecambe Offshore Windfarm Ltd for the Morgan and Morecambe offshore wind farms transmission assets in the east Irish sea off the coast of north-west England, including onshore connection to the electricity transmission network. The current statutory deadline for the decision is 29 April 2026.

RWE Renewables UK Dogger Bank South (West) Ltd and RWE Renewables UK Dogger Bank South (East) Ltd for the Dogger Bank south offshore wind farms in the north sea approximately 100km for the east coast, including onshore connection to the electricity transmission network. The current statutory deadline for the decision is 30 April 2026.

Under section 107(1) of the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State must make a decision on an application within three months of the receipt of the examining authority’s report unless a new deadline is set using the power under section 107(3) of the Planning Act 2008. Where a new deadline is set, the Secretary of State must make a statement to Parliament to announce it.

Having consulted the relevant guidance and under advice from officials, I have agreed to set a new deadline of no later than 14 May 2026 for deciding these applications. This is because the current statutory dates for these three cases are within the pre-election period for local elections in England. This period commences on Thursday 16 April and the guidance advises that particular care should be taken where there is a specific local or geographical dimension to an announcement; where an announcement could have a particular impact on an area or areas where elections are being held; and where an announcement relates to matters which are likely to be raised in election campaigns. For that reason, I am moving the decision dates to 14 May.

The decision to set the new deadline for these applications is without prejudice to the decision on whether to grant or refuse development consent.

[HCWS1472]