Press release

Sheringham and Dudgeon Extension Projects development consent decision announced

Today, 17 April 2024, the Sheringham and Dudgeon Extension Projects application has been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

(c) Equinor

The project has a maximum installed capacity of 317MW, while Dudgeon Extension Project has a maximum installed capacity of 402MW. Joint export cable system, offshore and onshore, connecting to the national grid transmission network at Norwich Main substation. 

The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by  Equinor on 05 September 2022 and accepted for Examination on 03 October 2022. 

Following an Examination during which the public, Statutory  Consultees and Interested  Parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on  17 October 2023.  

This is the 81st energy application out of 136 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008.  

Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other Interested Parties were able to participate in this six-month Examination.  

The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the Examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State. 

The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website.  

Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning  Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:  

Press.office@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Published 17 April 2024