LTC DCO Timeline
We know that the Development Consent Order (DCO) process is new to most people, so we’ve published an LTC DCO Timeline update to help you through the process of what has happened so far, and what is happening next. We hope you find it helpful!
To find out more about different types of examination hearings, deadlines, and how to take part check out our Taking Part in the LTC DCO update.
Please note that some LTC DCO examination dates are subject to change, and we will update accordingly as the examination timetable is confirmed.
Please click through on each event for more info, including the deadlines for registering to attend and speak.
Through DCO examination the latest info can be found on the PINS LTC Exam Timetable
- Requesting comments from National Highways in relation to the Written Ministeral Statement of 09 March 2023
- Requesting comments from National Highways in relation to a request by Thurrock Council to delay the examination
- In relation to a notification from National Highways to submit a request for changes to the application.
- request to be heard at the Programming Meeting on 16th May 2023
- send a written submission in advance of the Programming Meeting
- If you wish to speak at or attend any of the remaining Open Floor Hearings etc (7th July onwards) you need to request to be heard by Procedural Deadline D.
- If you are an Affected Person (someone who’s land/property is officially considered under threat from the project) and wish to be heard at a Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (CAH) you need to request to be heard by Procedural Deadline D.
- If you wish to attend the Accompanied Site Inspection you need to request to attend by Procedural Deadline D.
- If you are a Statutory Party and wish to be considered as an IP by the Examining Authority (ExA) you need to register by Procedural Deadline D.
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- Post event submissions, including written submission of oral comments made at the hearings held between 20 June and 6 July
- Comments on Additional Submissions submitted since the Application was accepted
- Comments on Relevant Representations
- Written Representations (WR) (WR are written equivalents to speaking at the Open Floor Hearings)
- Summaries of any Written Representations over 1500 words
- Any further information requested by the Examining Authority (ExA) under Rule 17 of the Examination Procedure Rules (EPR)
- Local Authorities - Local Impact Reports (LIR)
- Local Authorities/Applicant - New Statements of Common Ground (SoCG) (and of updated SoCGs if required)
- Local Authorities/Applicant - New and updated Principal Areas of Disagreement Summaries (PADS) (if updated)
- National Highways - amended proposed Accompanied Site Inspections itinerary
- National Highways - submission of documents
- National Highways - amended draft DCO
- National Highways - proposed Addendum to the Environmental Statement (ES)
- Comments on Written Representations
- Comments on Local Impact Reports
- Comments by Interested Parties (IPs) on NH’s amended proposed ASI itinerary.
- Comments on NH’s amended draft DCO
- Comments on NH’s submissions (see Annex F) at Deadline 1 (D1)
- Comments on any information requested by the Examining Authority (ExA) and received by D1
- Any further information requested by the ExA under Rule 17 of the EPR
- National Highways submission of documents
- Local Authorities/Applicant – Updated SoCGs (if updated)
- Local Authorities/Applicant – Updated PADSs (if updated)
- Responses to comments on Written Representations
- Comments on NH's submissions (see Annex F) at D2
- Comments on any information requested by the ExA and received by D2
- Any further information requested by the ExA under Rule 17 of the EPR
- National Highways submission of documents requested
- Local Authorities/National Highways - Updated SoCGs (if updated)
- Local Authorities/National Highways - Updated PADSs (if updated)
- Post-event submissions, including written submission of oral comments made at the hearings held w/c 4 and 11 September 2023 (if held)
- Responses to ExQ1 (issued 15th Aug)
- Comments on Deadline 3(D3) submissions (published 31 Aug)
- Comments on any information requested by the ExA and received by D3
- Any further information requested by the ExA under Rule 17 of the EPR
- NH’s submission of documents requested (see Annex F)
- Local Authorities/National Highways – Updated SoCGs (if updated)
- Local Authorities/National Highways – Updated PADSs (if updated)
- Comments on NH’s submissions (see Annex F) at D4
- Comments on Change Request MRC01
- Comments on any information requested by the ExA and received by Deadline 4 (D4)
- Any further information requested by the ExA under Rule 17 of the EPR
- NH’s submission of documents requested (see Annex F)
- Local Authorities/National Highways – Updated SoCGs (if updated)
- Local Authorities/National Highways – Updated PADSs (if updated)
- Post-event submissions, including written submission of oral comments made at the hearings held 16 to 24 October 2023 (if held)
- Responses to further ExQ (if issued on 10 Oct)
- Applicant’s submission of documents requested (see Annex F)
- Comments on NH’s submissions (see Annex F) at Deadline 5 (D5)
- Comments on any information requested by the ExA and received by D5
- Any further information requested by the ExA under Rule 17 of the EPR
- Local Authorities/National Highways – Updated SoCGs (if updated)
- Local Authorities/National Highways – Updated PADSs (if updated)
- Report on the Implications for European Sites (RIES) and any associated questions (if required)
- ExA’s commentary on, or schedule of changes to, the dDCO (if required)
- Examining Authority’s further Written Questions (ExQ) (if required)
- Applicant’s submission of draft s106 agreement
- Comments on responses to further ExQ (if applicable)
- NH’s submission of documents requested (see Annex F)
- Comments on NH’s submissions (see Annex F) at Deadline 6 (D6)
- Comments on any information requested by the ExA and received by D6
- Any further information requested by the ExA under Rule 17 of the EPR
- Local Authorities/National Highways – Updated SoCGs (if updated)
- Local Authorities/National Highways – Updated PADSs (if updated)
- Post-event submissions, including written submission of oral comments made at the hearings held 20 - 28 November 2023 (if held)
- Comments on RIES (if issued)
- Comments on ExA’s DCO/Commentary (if issued)
- Responses to further ExQ (if issued on 14 Nov)
- Applicant’s submission of updated s106 agreement
- Updated SoCGs (if updated. See Annex F)
- Updated PADSs (if updated. See Annex F)
- Applicant’s submission of documents requested (see Annex F)
- Comments on Applicant’s submissions (see Annex F) at D7
- Comments on any information requested by the ExA and received by D7
- Any further information requested by the ExA under Rule 17 of the EPR
- Comments on responses to further ExQ (if applicable)
- Final SoCGs
- Final PADSs
- Applicant’s final documents: - dDCO, with Statutory Instrument validation report - Book of Reference (BoR) and schedule of changes - Statement of Commonality - Status of Negotiations / Compulsory Acquisition schedule - Status of Negotiations with Statutory Undertakers - National Policy Statement (NPS) tracker - Final signed and dated s106 agreement(s) or any other final legal agreements - Stakeholder Actions and Commitments Register (SAC-R) - Consents Position Statement - Errata, if applicable
- Comments on Applicant’s submissions (see Annex F) at D8
- Comments on any information requested by the ExA and received by D8
- Any further information requested by the ExA under Rule 17 of the EPR
- Comments on the final documents submitted by the Applicant at D9
- Final SoCGs
- Final PADSs
- Any further information requested by the ExA under Rule 17 of the EPR
- Comments on any information requested by the ExA and received by D9
- Any further information requested by the ExA under Rule 17 of the Examination Rules
NB. If permission is granted for the LTC, construction has been delayed by 2 years, meaning it is not expected to begin until at least June 2026. This follows the government announcement on 9th March 2023.
Related
LTC DCO Updates Index – click here