Planning timeline
The planning process for large infrastructure projects like the one National Grid are proposing for Sea Link in Thanet falls under what is known as a Development Consent Order (DCO). A DCO is a formalised statutory process with fixed phases, each of a specific length of time.
We are still currently in the pre-application stage of the process but we expect National Grid to submit their plans to the Planning Inspectorate in March 2025. See below for an overview diagram of the steps plus a calendar with detailed information of what happens at each stage of the process below.
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Acceptance Stage
March 16, 2025, to April 12, 2025
Duration: 28 days
Upon receipt of the application on March 15, 2025 (estimated), the Planning Inspectorate has 28 calendar days to review its completeness and compliance with legal and procedural standards (e.g., adequacy of consultation, sufficiency of documentation). This assessment focuses solely on procedural validity, not the project’s merits.
Public Involvement: No formal public access to documents or opportunity for comment is available at this stage. The Inspectorate may update its project webpage to confirm receipt of the application.
Outcome: If accepted, the application proceeds to the Pre-Examination Stage. If deemed incomplete, National Grid must revise and resubmit, potentially delaying the process by several weeks or months.
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Pre-Examination Stage
April 13, 2025, to July 31, 2025
Duration: Approximately 3.5 months
Description: Following acceptance, the application is published on the Planning Inspectorate’s website, including all supporting documents (e.g., project plans, environmental statements). An Examining Authority, comprising one or more inspectors, is appointed to oversee the process. Interested parties may register to participate in the subsequent examination. A Preliminary Meeting is convened to establish the examination timetable, typically following a registration period of approximately one month.
Public Involvement: Individuals and organizations may register as interested parties by submitting a “relevant representation” outlining their views. Registration is facilitated online via the Inspectorate’s portal, with email notifications available for updates.
Next Steps: The Preliminary Meeting, anticipated in late July 2025, concludes this stage and initiates the Examination Stage.
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Examination Stage
August 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026
Duration: Up to 6 months (statutory maximum)
Description: The Examining Authority conducts a detailed assessment of the proposal, evaluating its alignment with national policy, balancing impacts against benefits, and considering representations from interested parties. This stage includes written submissions, public hearings, and potential site inspections.
Public Involvement: Registered interested parties may submit detailed written representations, attend hearings, and respond to inquiries from the Examining Authority. This represents the primary opportunity for public influence on the outcome.
Outcome: Upon conclusion, the Examining Authority prepares a recommendation report for the Secretary of State. Note: Accelerated timelines (e.g., 4 months) are under pilot for some NSIPs, though Sea Link’s inclusion remains unconfirmed.
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Recommendation Stage
February 1, 2026, to April 30, 2026
Duration: 3 months (statutory period)
Description: The Examining Authority finalizes its report and submits a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero within three months of the examination’s conclusion.
Public Involvement: No further submissions are permitted, and the recommendation report remains confidential during this period.
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Decision Stage
May 1, 2026, to July 31, 2026
Duration: 3 months (statutory period)
Description: The Secretary of State reviews the recommendation, national policy, and legal considerations before issuing a decision to approve (with or without modifications) or reject the DCO application.
Public Involvement: The decision and accompanying report are published online upon completion, providing transparency on the outcome.
Outcome: Approval results in the issuance of a DCO, consolidating all necessary consents (e.g., planning permission, compulsory acquisition powers). Rejection requires National Grid to reassess and potentially resubmit.
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Post-Decision Stage
August 1, 2026, to September 12, 2026
Duration: 6 weeks
Description: A statutory six-week period follows the decision, during which judicial review may be sought if the process is deemed unlawful or procedurally flawed.
Public Involvement: Affected parties with sufficient standing and resources may initiate a legal challenge, though such actions are infrequent.
Next Steps: Without a successful challenge, National Grid may commence preparatory works or construction, potentially beginning in late 2026 or early 2027, subject to operational readiness.