The Applicant, BSSL Cambsbed 1 Limited (formerly RNA CAMBSBED1 Ltd), is proposing a Development Consent Order (DCO) to install solar photovoltaic panels and battery storage technology, as well as associated infrastructure which will connect to the national grid, in the districts of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Huntingdonshire.
Project details
As set out in the Applicant’s supporting material (PEIR; Sept. 2024):
- The project would allow for the generation and export of 400 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity, as well as the storage of up to 100 MW of electricity in the BESS. The precise generating capacity and storage capacity will be subject to detailed design, but it should be noted that the Applicant has a grid connection agreement with National Grid is for 400 MW export and 100 MW import.
- Subject to obtaining the necessary consents, construction is anticipated to commence in Summer 2027 and to be completed for operation in late 2029 or early 2030. The project comprises a temporary development with an operational phase of 40 years; decommissioning activities would therefore likely commence in 2070, 40-years after commissioning.
- The Site area extends to approximately 769 hectares (ha), located north-west of the town of St Neots.
The project falls into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) process defined through the Planning Act 2008 (as amended) and will be considered under Part 3 Section 14 of the legislation because the generating station is located in England and has a generating capacity of over 50 megawatts (see section 15(2) of the 2008 Act).
Responsibility for accepting and examining the NSIP application rests with the Secretary of State and not the local authorities, who are identified as statutory consultees, or ‘host’ authorities, in the NSIP process.
There are three ‘host’ authorities (Cambridgeshire County Council, Bedford Borough Council and Huntingdonshire District Council) involved in this NSIP project. All three ‘host’ planning authorities are working together to ensure full scrutiny of this project is undertaken at all stage.
The application will be determined by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Documents
- Scoping Opinion Response (PDF)
- PEIR Response (PDF)
Have your say
As one of the host authorities Bedford Borough Council is not the determining authority. Please direct all correspondence in relation to this application to the Applicant in the first instance and then the Planning Inspectorate.
Visit the East Park Energy website for details of the Applicant’s proposals, including consultation material.
Prior to the application being submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, a Statutory Consultation was held between 24 September and 29 October 2024. An informal consultation was held between 17 October and 21 November 2023.
Read more about the project on the Planning Inspectorate’s webpage. PINs project reference: EN010141.
Application’s progress (November 2025)
- Pre-application: completed.
- Acceptance: completed.
- Pre-examination: in-progress.
- Examination: not started.
- Recommendation: not started.
- Decision: not started.