The Immingham Open Cycle Gas Turbine (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 2025

This order amends the Immingham Open Cycle Gas Turbine Order 2020 to incorporate non-material changes.

The Secretary of State approved the changes following an application under the Infrastructure Planning (Changes to, and Revocation of, Development Consent Orders) Regulations 2011.

Key amendments include modifications to definitions of ‘book of reference’ and ‘Order land,’ alterations to compulsory land acquisition provisions, and revisions to schedules detailing land rights and certified documents.

These changes aim for greater clarity and efficiency in the project’s implementation.

Arguments For

  • Efficiency and Streamlining: The amendments may streamline the land acquisition process and clarify documentation requirements, leading to greater efficiency in the project's implementation.

  • Addressing Gaps and Inconsistencies: The changes might address inconsistencies or gaps in the original order, improving clarity and reducing potential for disputes.

  • Legal Compliance: The amendments ensure ongoing legal compliance with the Planning Act 2008 and associated regulations.

  • Alignment with Project Needs: The changes reflect the actual operational needs of the project, adapting to unforeseen circumstances or revised plans following consultation and assessment.

Arguments Against

  • Unforeseen Consequences: Though deemed 'non-material,' the changes could have unforeseen negative consequences on affected parties or the environment that weren't fully assessed.

  • Lack of Transparency: The process of amendment might lack sufficient transparency for affected parties, leading to concerns about fairness and equity.

  • Cumulative Impact: Minor changes, although individually deemed immaterial, could have a cumulative effect that alters the project's original intent and impact.

  • Resource Expenditures: Amending the order involves resource expenditure that could have been avoided if the original order had been more comprehensive.

An application has been made, under paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 of the Planning Act 20081, to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Changes to, and Revocation of, Development Consent Orders) Regulations 20112 for a non-material change to the Immingham Open Cycle Gas Turbine Order 20203.The Secretary of State, having considered the application, the responses to the publicity and consultation required by regulations 6 and 7 of the Infrastructure Planning (Changes to, and Revocation of, Development Consent Orders) Regulations 2011, has decided to make the changes on terms that in the opinion of the Secretary of State are not materially different from those proposed in the application.Accordingly, the Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers in paragraphs 2(1) and (9) of Schedule 6 to the Planning Act 2008, makes the following Order—

This Order may be cited as the Immingham Open Cycle Gas Turbine (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 2025 and comes into force on 23rd May 2025.

The Immingham Open Cycle Gas Turbine Order 2020 is amended in accordance with this Order.

In article 2 (interpretation) of Part 1 (preliminary) replace ““book of reference” means the document of that description set out in Schedule 11 (documents to be certified) certified by the Secretary of State as the book of reference under article 39 for the purposes of this Order;” with ““book of reference” means the document of that description set out in Schedule 11 (documents and plans to be certified) certified by the Secretary of State as the book of reference under article 39 for the purposes of this Order and the document which is certified by the Secretary of State as the supplemental book of reference under article 39 for the purposes of this Order;”

In article 2 (interpretation) of Part 1 (preliminary) replace ““Order land” means the land which is required for, or is required to facilitate, or is incidental to, or is affected by, the authorised development shown coloured pink, blue and yellow on the land plans and described in the book of reference;” with ““Order land” means the land which is required for, or is required to facilitate, or is incidental to, or is affected by, the authorised development shown coloured pink, blue, yellow and orange on the land plans and described in the book of reference;”

In article 2 (interpretation) of Part 1 (preliminary) before ““traffic authority” insert ““supplemental land” means the land which is required for, or is required to facilitate, or is incidental to, or is affected by, the authorised development shown coloured orange on the land plans and described in the book of reference;”

In Part 5 (powers of acquisition), article 18 (compulsory acquisition of land) omit sub-paragraph (1) and replace with— “(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), the undertaker may acquire compulsorily so much of the Order land as is required for the authorised development, or to facilitate it, or as is incidental to it.”

In Part 5 (powers of acquisition), article 18 (compulsorily acquisition of land) insert a new sub-paragraph (3) as follows— “(3) The undertaker may not compulsorily acquire any interest in or take temporary possession pursuant to articles 18, 19, 21, 22, 26, 27, and 28 of any part of the supplemental land.”

In Schedule 6 (land in which only new rights etc. may be acquired) Table 6 is omitted and replaced with the following— “Table 6 [Table with Plot numbers and Class of rights listed in Table 5 applicable to the plot]

In Schedule 11 (documents and plans to be certified) Table 8 is omitted and replaced with the following— “Table 8 [Table listing documents, references, revision numbers, and dates]

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero John Wheadon Head of Energy Infrastructure Planning Delivery Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 22nd May 2025

This Order amends the Immingham Open Cycle Gas Turbine Order 2020, a development consent order made under the Planning Act 2008, following an application made in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Changes to, and Revocation of, Development Consent Orders) Regulations 2011 for a non-material change under paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 to the Planning Act 2008.