The project team submitted a formal request to The Planning Inspectorate for a Scoping Opinion under the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (as amended). This request was accompanied by a Scoping Report which provides information about the wind farm, including its location; its nature and purpose; and the proposed approach to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. This Scoping Report is intended to facilitate formal consultation with The Planning Inspectorate and relevant consultees in the EIA process, inviting them to provide information and to comment on the proposed approach to the EIA. This process aims to ensure that a robust Environmental Statement is prepared in support of a Development Consent Order application for the wind farm.
Consultees are invited to consider all of the information provided in the Scoping Report and to provide comments on the proposed approach and in particular, whether they agree with the conclusions.
The Scoping Report is available to view on The Planning Inspectorate website: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/eastern/five-estuaries-offshore-wind-farm/
A Scoping Opinion will be provided by The Planning Inspectorate to Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm Ltd. within 42 days of receiving the information, which will be the 14th November 2021.