Artistic impression sketch of Solent Gateway 2. This is indicative and based on our emerging proposals.
The planning process explained
As our proposed development is defined as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) for the purposes of the Planning Act 2008, we’ll be applying for Development Consent from the Secretary of State for Transport.
This will be a statutory process, as described below, involving at least two stages of public consultation before the submission of the application, followed by an examination of the application led by an Examining Authority including both written submissions and a series of public hearings. The Examining Authority will then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State, who will determine whether the Order granting Development Consent (known as a Development Consent Order or DCO) should be made.
The timeline below outlines the stages our proposed development will go through under the development consent process.
1
Pre-application
As part of the planning process, we held a non-statutory consultation with local communities and relevant stakeholders - including local councils and other representative groups in Autumn 2025. During this time, we explained our emerging proposals and invited initial feedback.
2
Pre-submission
This will be followed by a statutory consultation in 2026 which offers another opportunity for us to show how our plans have evolved and invite more feedback.
Following our consultation phases, we will review all feedback received and finalise our proposals.
3
Submission
We will then submit an application for development consent to the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate is the body that deals with applications for development consent on behalf of the Secretary of State.
4
Acceptance
Following the submission of our application, the Planning Inspectorate will have 28 days to decide whether it can be accepted for examination.
5
Pre-examination
If accepted, a panel of inspectors is appointed to examine the application (the Examining Authority). There will then be an opportunity for people to register their interest in the application, with anyone who registers kept informed of the progress of the examination, including when and how they can provide further comments and input. People with an interest in land which might be affected will be entitled to those updates, and to comment and input in the same way, whether or not they register.
6
Examination
The examination phase lasts up to six months, during which time the Examining Authority will review and ask questions about our application which will help them make their recommendation to the Secretary of State. People who have registered their interest, including people who have an interest in land which might be affected, will be able to make written representations to the Examining Authority and apply to speak at public hearings.
7
Recommendation
At the end of the examination stage, the Examining Authority has three months to submit its recommendation to the Secretary of State.
8
Decision
Following this recommendation, the Secretary of State has three months to make a decision.
