The future of renewable energy

As the capacity of White Cross is up to 100 MW, in planning terms it does not require a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the whole project under the Planning Act 2008. Therefore, the project team has followed a split consenting regime consisting of both an onshore and offshore application.

An Environmental Statement, which includes a full Environmental Impact Assessment, accompanies each application. The Environmental Statement consists of a series of chapters which review in detail specific topics the project may interact with.  A Habitat Regulation Assessment has also been completed. These assessments provide detailed information on each topic to ensure that the environment is protected from potential harm brought about by a development and that the relevant authorities are aware of the potential effects of the project when making a decision. To read the detailed assessments on each topic, use the View all Environmental Statement Documents button on this page, or simply click here.

Offshore application
Read the Non-Technical Summary of our offshore application which provides a concise and easily understandable overview of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and the findings of the offshore EIA for the White Cross project. In addition, it also includes a description of the project and information on the location, design and size of the project.

The offshore application incorporates all the offshore aspects of the project from the windfarm array – 52.5km offshore, along the offshore cable route to mean high water springs (high tide). The offshore application covers the marine licences and Electricity Act Section 36 requirements. It has been submitted to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) as the offshore regulator.

To read the Non Technical Summary of our offshore application, as well as to view all other environmental statement documents submitted to the MMO, click here.

The MMO case reference number for the White Cross application is MLA/2023/00113.

To view and comment on the offshore consent application on the marine licence applications public register, please follow the link below to the relevant webpage:
https://marinelicensing.marinemanagement.org.uk/mmofox5/fox/live/MMO_PUBLIC_REGISTER/search?area=3

Onshore planning application
The onshore planning application incorporates all the onshore aspects of the project from mean low water springs (low tide) along the onshore cable route to the East Yelland Substation where the project will connect to the electricity grid.

The planning application for the onshore elements of the project has been submitted to the North Devon Council Local Planning Authority and is currently awaiting validation. Once validated the documents will be available to view on the planning portal.

Scoping is a key part of the project development process. Scoping is utilised to determine the content and extent of the matters which should be covered in the environmental information to be submitted to a competent authority for projects which require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be undertaken. The White Cross Offshore Windfarm will require an EIA.

Scoping is the process of identifying the key issues in relation to potential environmental effects of the project and is an opportunity to canvass the views of the local community and key stakeholders. Scoping allows the identification of potential issues at an early stage to inform the need for mitigation to be identified as early as possible. In addition, scoping ensures that EIA is proportionate to the key issues identified for the project.

The Scoping Report was submitted to the Marine Management Organisation on 18 January 2022.

Click here to read the Scoping Report
For the best experience please download the PDF and open in Acrobat Reader (or similar).

Aerial surveys were initiated in July 2020 to collect offshore bird and marine mammal density data across the White Cross Offshore Windfarm site. These surveys, undertaken by aircraft flying across the site each month, were completed in September 2022.

Mapping of the seabed via geophysical surveys have been undertaken and geotechnical and benthic ecology surveys have been completed for the wind farm area and offshore cable route. These will provide information about the seabed and help understand the structure of the habitats and species that are present in the areas.

Further onshore and offshore environmental surveys have been undertaken to inform the project design and EIA processes. These include shipping activity, seabed habitats and ecology, terrestrial ecology, onshore ground conditions, land use and a host of other aspects of the environment in which the project is situated.

Consultation with stakeholders and local communities is a key part of the planning and consenting processes. We are actively seeking input; with all comments and opinions provided carefully considered and used to help shape our plans.

The next round of consultation events for the White Cross floating offshore windfarm project are being held on the 20th and 21st October. The purpose of these events is to provide an update on the development of the project design and routing options and answer any questions that you may have about the project. Stakeholder and local community consultation is a central aspect of the planning and consenting process that is strongly valued by the project team. We are actively seeking your input; all comments and opinions will be carefully considered and used to help shape plans and support project decisions. 

White Cross is a 100MW project being developed in the Celtic sea by Offshore Wind Limited. The windfarm site is approximately 50km on the North Devon and Cornwall Coast and covers an area of 50km2. It is expected that to deliver the maximum 100MW windfarm capacity only around 20% of this area will be required to site the expected 6 to 8 turbines and associated moorings. Each turbine will be supported by an innovative floating substructure technology that is anchored to the seabed. The offshore cable is proposed to make landfall on the North Devon coast near Braunton and the onshore cable will then connect to the existing substation as East Yelland, south of the River Taw. 

We look forward to seeing you at one of the events, updating you on the project development since the last engagements and finding out your views on what is proposed.  

Event 1 – 

Date: Thursday 20th October 2022
Time: 14:00 – 16:00 and 17:00- 19:00
Location: North Devon Cricket Club, The Pavilion Sandhills, Instow, EX39 4LF

Event 2 – 

Date: Friday 21st October 2022
Time: 14:00 – 16:00 and 17:00- 19:00
Location: Braunton Parish Hall, 5 Chaloners Rd, Braunton, EX33 1AF 

Online Event – 
Date: Monday 24th October 2022
Time: 12:00 – 13:00