FAQs
What is a scoping opinion request? Has Ossian submitted one?
Ossian has submitted a request for a scoping opinion to the Planning Inspectorate. While this process focuses on the technical aspects of our environmental assessments, we will be sharing and seeking your views on key information from the scoping submission as part of the non-statutory consultation.
A scoping request is a regulatory process by which a developer can ask the Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State, to state its written opinion as to the scope and level of detail of the information to be provided in a project's Environmental Statement. The scoping request typically comprises a Scoping Report provided by the applicant including the scoping boundary.
The scoping boundary is the area within which the Ossian Transmission Infrastructure will be located and within which site selection work is currently being undertaken.
Purpose: - Technical consultation with statutory consultees on what should be included within the Environmental Statement, how the environmental impact assessment should be undertaken, and the survey methodologies to be followed
Form of Consultation - Written consultation request issued by the Planning Inspectorate to the statutory consultees following receipt of an Applicant's Scoping Report
What is a non-statutory consultation?
Non-stat is a consultation with the local community undertaken by prospective applicants to seek the views of the community and all key stakeholders to shape and inform the proposed development as it evolves.
Purpose: To seek the views of the wider public and local communities which may be affected by the proposed development.
Form of Consultation: - Non-technical public consultation event, typically held over several days.
What is a Development Consent Order (DCO)?
A DCO is a type of planning permission used in England and Wales for certain large, nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs). The decision to grant development consent in England is made, in the case of energy projects such as Ossian, by the Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero based on the recommendation of the Planning Inspectorate.
When you are ready to pursue the Development Consent Order (DCO), will you have to start at the beginning of the Development Consent Order process?
Yes, the intention is to recommence our application for a DCO at a future date. At this time, we cannot provide an indication of when this will be, the project will be in touch to inform all stakeholders when this becomes clearer. Much of the technical, environmental and engagement work completed to date remains valuable and will help inform any future proposals. How this information is used will depend on the scope and timing of future development.
What are the reasons for not pursuing a Development Consent Order (DCO) at this time?
Following changes to Ossian's grid design, the Project is pausing work on the Lincolnshire connections to focus on progressing the connection allocated to Ossian in Scotland. As a result, Ossian will be withdrawing from the DCO pre-application process at this time for the project's Lincolnshire grid connections. Ossian's Lincolnshire connections continue to be integral to the Project's proposals, and we intend to recommence our application for a DCO at a future date.
How has Ossian's grid design changed and why?
The design of the GB electricity network is managed by the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Through the close out of NESO's Holistic Network Design Follow Up Exercise, Ossian's proposed grid connection locations have changed. Where Ossian previously had three connections to Lincolnshire, this has changed to two connections to Lincolnshire and one to Scotland.
At the non-statutory consultation in March, you mentioned offshore wind farm projects that were interconnected to Ossian, is this still a feature in the updated grid design?
No, this is no longer part of the updated grid design.
Will the Ossian project's Scottish transmission infrastructure be electrically connected to the Lincolnshire transmission infrastructure?
No, the Scottish transmission infrastructure is not connected to the Lincolnshire transmission infrastructure. The transmission infrastructure in both Scotland and Lincolnshire includes the offshore subsea cables from the Wind Farm Array to landfall, onshore cables, converter station's location (Lincolnshire) and substation location (Scotland).
Will this decision impact any other developments in Lincolnshire?
This decision relates solely to the current Ossian Transmission Infrastructure proposals. It does not affect other energy projects or developments in Lincolnshire.
Will the work you have already done in Lincolnshire still be relevant in the future?
Much of the technical, environmental and engagement work completed to date remains valuable and will help inform any future proposals. How this information is used will depend on the scope and timing of future development.
Will we still be able to access project documents and information?
Yes, project information and documents submitted as part of the process will remain publicly available. We will also continue to make relevant updates available through our project website and established communication channels.
How will you communicate with us in the future?
We remain committed to transparent engagement. Local communities and stakeholders will continue to be kept informed of any significant updates through direct communications, our website and existing stakeholder channels.
What's next for Ossian?
Ossian will commence work on the consents needed for the Scottish connection; this will include engagement activities to ensure we meet and are speaking with stakeholders, as well as starting to build up a knowledge of the environment that will support the site selection process and consultations. In Lincolnshire, the project will keep all stakeholders updated as and when we can, sharing the project programme when this is further defined. Engagement with all stakeholders remains a priority for the project.