“The team delivered critical advice and materials that strengthened our examination position.”

— Client

Morecambe Offshore Windfarm required expert navigation through the Development Consent Order (DCO) process; one of the most demanding regulatory pathways for UK infrastructure. With tight deadlines and a large multidisciplinary team, the project needed senior-level insight and policy support to ensure success under scrutiny.

Context & Circumstances

Set in the East Irish Sea, the windfarm is designed to generate up to 480MW of renewable power, providing clean energy to over 500,000 UK homes. As a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), it faced rigorous scrutiny from the Panel of Examining Inspectors during Examination. Infrastructure Matters was engaged at the pre-examination phase, to work with the project team to shape its approach to examination of the DCO application and to ensure policy compliance.

Solution

Infrastructure Matters meshed quickly into the project, providing fundamental strategic insight as well as hands-on policy support. We co-authored the pivotal Summary and Signposting Document, ensuring the Examining Authority received a clear, coherent and compelling overview of the client’s case at the point of closure.

Results
  • Embedded authoritative strategic advice and day-to-day policy support throughout the pre-examination and examination phase of the national infrastructure planning process.
  • Led critical document reviews, identifying risks and reinforcing the integrity of the DCO application.
  • Coordinated the highly regarded Summary & Signposting Document, articulating the key elements of the application and strengthening the case for the scheme.
  • Provided deep insight in the lead up to, during and post Hearings

Most importantly, we maintained strategic momentum under pressure, ensuring examination engagement remained clear, confident, and coordinated.