Springwell is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) because it would have a generating capacity above 50 megawatts (50MW). This means we need to apply for a type of planning consent called a Development Consent Order (DCO) to build and operate it.
We consulted on our updated proposals for Springwell between 11 January and 22 February 2024. This consultation was a ‘statutory consultation’ as it was carried out in line with the formal requirements of the Planning Act 2008.
The feedback received, along with further technical work and environmental studies, informed the DCO application which was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate on 20 November 2024. Our DCO application was accepted for examination on 18 December 2024.
The application was examined by the Planning Inspectorate between 7 May and 9 October 2025. All the information published during the examination, including written submissions from interested parties, is available on the Springwell Solar Farm page of the Planning Inspectorate website here.
Following the examination, the Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State on whether to approve or refuse the application within three months (by 9 January 2026). The Secretary of State then has a further three months to make their decision (9 April 2026).
More information on the DCO process, including guidance on how to become an Interested Party, is available via the Planning Inspectorate website: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/detailed-information.