Cardiff Tidal Lagoon will be an offshore generating station with more than 100MW of installed capacity and, as such, is considered a ‘nationally significant infrastructure project’ (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008.
NSIPs are consented under a different system to that managed by local authorities, being managed instead by the UK’s Planning Inspectorate and consented by the relevant Secretary of State. The Project lies in Welsh waters, meaning a Marine Licence (for dredging and construction) is also required under the Marine & Coastal Access Act 2009. Marine Licence applications are determined by the Marine Licensing Team of Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on behalf of the Welsh Government. The Project cannot go ahead without both consents.
We will consult in depth with regulators, stakeholders and the local community during 2017-18, while conducting a detailed environmental impact assessment. To ensure you get to have your say, look out for announcements in the local press, on this website, and/or sign-up for updates here.
We expect to submit planning applications for the DCO and Marine Licence in mid-2018, having taken into account all comments from consultees. These applications will run in parallel, in a similar manner to our applications for Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon. Development Consent Orders are usually determined within 18 months of application. The Planning Inspectorate’s website provides excellent advice on the NSIP planning process and how you can participate, as well as hosting current information specifically relating to the Cardiff Tidal Lagoon.
