Process and Next Steps
Development process
Lime Down Solar Park is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008 due to its proposed generating capacity of up to 500 megawatts (MW). NSIPs are considered under the Planning Act 2008 through the Development Consent Order (DCO) process.
For energy-related NSIPs, the Planning Inspectorate examines the application and makes a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. The Secretary of State makes the final decision on whether development consent should be granted.
For more information about the different stages of the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, please see the Planning Inspectorate’s guide to the process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).
Where is the application now?
The DCO application was submitted on 19 September 2025 and accepted for Examination on 17 October 2025. The six-month Examination ran from 21 April to 21 October 2026 and is now closed.
The application is in the recommendation and decision stages. The Examining Authority has up to three months after Examination closes to submit its recommendation report. The Secretary of State would normally have a further three months after receiving that report to issue a decision, subject to any applicable extensions. A decision is currently expected in spring 2027.
What happens after a decision?
The Secretary of State’s decision and accompanying documents will be published through the Planning Inspectorate. If development consent is granted, the project would still need to satisfy relevant pre-commencement requirements and approvals before construction could begin. If consent is refused, the decision and reasons will also be published.
To receive updates on the progress of the application, including when a decision is published, you can register for email updates directly with the Planning Inspectorate.
