Plans to double to size of two wind farms off the north Norfolk coast have taken another step forward.

The Planning Inspectorate accepted the application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to expand Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon wind farms in Norfolk.

North Norfolk's Sheringham planned scheme is for 23 turbines, and Dudgeon is for 30.

Both applications include offshore infrastructure with 40km and 62km cable corridors. This is in addition to 60km of onshore cabling. In all, the schemes would be capable of powering 785k homes.

Equinor submitted the order for the project in early September.

Employment 

Developer Equinor says the two schemes will support more than 1800 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs a year across the UK and in East Anglia.

In addition, they will also generate £340m in direct gross value added (GVA) at the building stage.

Kari Hege Mørk, project director, said: “We are very pleased with this decision, and we will be offering our full co-operation to the Planning Inspectorate throughout the coming examination period."

The two wind farms currently consist of 155 turbines. 95 more are planned for the expansion. However, the new ones will be much bigger, more than the Eiffel Tower at 330m.

Consultation

The Planning Inspectorate has accepted the schemes for examination, which is step four out of 6 towards getting the green light. During this six week stage, registered interested parties can provide their views to be considered by officials.

Kari Hege Mørk said: “As we have developed these projects over the last three years, we have sought to find ways to maximise local benefits and minimise disruption. We have consulted widely with the local community throughout the process, including two rounds of community consultation and a series of public information days. We will continue to maintain proactive community communications throughout the examination period.” 

Design Changes

Following public consultation, several design changes have been made to the scheme to offset local disruption, Equinor said. In addition, there will be ‘trenchless’ crossing across A and B roads and 20 local roads. This is as well as a "haul" road which will be built along the cable route to cut the number of access points and HGV movements. Finally, various access points have been moved.         

The Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm is owned by Equinor, Masdar and China Resources. Sheringham Shoal is owned by Equinor and Equitix Offshore 5.

The full application will be on view at North Norfolk Council Offices, South Norfolk House until October 31. It will move to Thorpe Lodge from November 1.

Kari Hege Mørk, project director, said:

“We are very pleased with this decision, and we will be offering our full co-operation to the Planning Inspectorate throughout the coming examination period."

“As we have developed these projects over the last three years, we have sought to find ways to maximise local benefits and minimise disruption. We have consulted widely with the local community throughout the process, including two rounds of community consultation and a series of public information days. We will continue to maintain proactive community communications throughout the examination period.”