The examination of the Rampion 2 Development Consent Order (DCO) application begins Tuesday 6th February with the Preliminary Meeting and Open Floor Hearing in Brighton, followed by Issue Specific Hearings on environmental matters from 7^th – 9^th February. Anyone can observe the events either in person, livestream online, or watch a recording after the event. However, you must register in advance if you wish to participate. For further information, please visithttps://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/rampion-2. The examination is expected to close on 6h August 2024.

The following representations from Washington Parish Council can be viewed at the end of this page and will be taken into consideration in the examination:

• Washington Parish Council's comments to be taken into consideration at the Preliminary Meeting on 6th February 2024
• Washington Parish Council's registration to be an Interested Party in the examination (Submitted September 2023)
  
• Washington Recreation Ground Charity's registration to be in an Interested Party in the examination (Submitted September 2023)
• Washington Parish Council's submitted comments on the Rampion 2 Second Statutory Consultation 2022

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Full details of the Planning Inspectorate's Notice of Preliminary Meeting, Issue Specific and Open Floor Hearings is below:

Rampion Extension Development Limited

PLANNING INSPECTORATE REFERENCE NUMBER: EN010117

Rule 13(6) Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010

Notice of Preliminary Meeting, Issue Specific and Open Floor Hearings

Notice is hereby given that, at the dates, times and locations set out below, the following Hearings will be held by the Planning Inspectorate (on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero) in respect of the application by Rampion Extension Development Limited of Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon SN56PB (“the Applicant”) for a Development Consent Order pursuant to the Planning Act 2008. The Application (Reference No. EN010117) was submitted by the Applicant to the Secretary of State c/o the Planning Inspectorate under sections 14(1) and 15(3) of the Planning Act 2008 on 10 August 2023 and was accepted on 7 September 2023 (“the Application”).

The hearings will be held as virtual events using Microsoft Teams, and it will be possible to join them via any standard internet browser or alternatively by telephone dial-in. Full instructions on how to join online or by telephone will be provided in advance to those who have pre-registered. If you require assistance with registering your attendance, please contact the Case Team atRampion2@planninginspectorate.gov.uk, or by calling 0303 444 5000.

The Pre-Examination Procedural Deadline and subsequent Deadlines are set out in the Draft Examination Timetable, available to view in the Rule 6 Letter on the project page of the Infrastructure Planning website infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/rampion-2.

Any further hearings will be publicised as required by the Examining Authority and by the Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010.

Summary of the Project:

The Applicant is seeking development consent for an offshore generating station adjacent to and forming an extension to the existing Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, at the location approximately 13km south of the Sussex coast located to the west and south of the existing Rampion Offshore Windfarm, and all infrastructure required to transmit the power generated to the Bolney National Grid substation, which will require to be extended (the “Proposed Development”). The offshore generating station is located in an area approximately 196km2. The onshore cable corridor is approximately 38.8km long from the landfall at Climping, West Sussex to a new substation at Oakendene, 2km east of Cowfold, West Sussex and then to the existing Bolney National Grid Substation, at Twineham, Mid Sussex. The onshore elements of the Proposed Development fall within the administrative boundaries of the following host authorities:

· Arun District Council;

· Horsham District Council;

· Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC);

· South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA); and

· West Sussex County Council (WSCC).

In summary the Proposed Development includes:

· an offshore generating station with an electrical export capacity of in excess of 100MW comprising up to 90 wind turbines and array cables, in an area approximately 196km2, located approximately 13km south of the Sussex coast located to the west and south of the existing Rampion Offshore Windfarm

· up to three offshore substations

· cables between the wind turbine generators (“WTG”), between the WTGs and the offshore substations, and between the offshore substations themselves and the landfall location at Climping, West Sussex

· an underground cable connection between the landfall, and a satellite substation known as Oakendene, and then onwards to connect into the existing National Grid substation at Bolney, together with an extension to that existing substation.

The Proposed Development comprises a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (“NSIP”) pursuant to sections 14(1)(a) and 15(3) of the 2008 Act as an offshore generating station having a capacity of more than 100MW. Pursuant to section 31 of the 2008 Act a DCO is required to authorise an NSIP.

The Proposed Development also includes associated development linked to the NSIP which can be authorised by a DCO pursuant to section 115 of the 2008 Act.

The Development Consent Order would authorise the compulsory acquisition of land, interests in land and rights over land, and the powers to use land permanently and temporarily.

A map showing the location of the proposed location of the project forms part of the Application and can be viewed at the following link:infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/rampion-2.

Copies of Application Documents

The Application form and the accompanying documents, plans, maps and Environmental Statement (ES) and Non-Technical Summary (NTS) for the project can be viewed and downloaded free of charge online on the Rampion 2 project page of the Infrastructure Planning website under the documents tab:infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/rampion-2. The documents will be available on the website throughout the examination period.Further information can also be obtained from the Applicant using the following contact details:

· Email:rampion2@rwe.com

· Freephone: 0800 2800 886

· Write: Rampion 2 Wind Farm, RWE, Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 6PB