Development consent for the Helios Renewable Energy Project was granted on 3 December 2025 by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The Planning Inspectorate records this as the 102nd energy application determined to date under the regime, with the examination completed within the statutory timetable. The decision was signed by Minister Martin McCluskey on the Energy Secretary’s authority.
The scheme comprises ground‑mounted solar arrays, on‑site energy storage and associated grid works, designed to export more than 50 megawatts. The application by Enso Green Holdings D Limited was submitted on 2 July 2024, accepted for examination on 30 July 2024, and the Examining Authority’s recommendation was issued to the Secretary of State on 3 September 2025. Public notices indicate a site south‑west of Camblesforth and north of Hirst Courtney in North Yorkshire, with an underground connection to National Grid’s Drax Substation.
The timetable followed the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects process: a six‑month examination by the Planning Inspectorate, a three‑month period to prepare the recommendation, and up to three months for the ministerial decision. These stages reflect section 98 of the Planning Act 2008 and the Inspectorate’s published process, which also provides for pre‑examination engagement.
Because the onshore generating capacity exceeds 50 megawatts, Helios falls within the Planning Act 2008 threshold for a nationally significant generating station and therefore requires a Development Consent Order, rather than a town and country planning permission. Examining Authorities make their recommendations within the framework set by the government’s National Policy Statements.
Public participation formed part of the examination. Under the NSIP regime, residents, local authorities and statutory consultees can register as Interested Parties, submit written representations and, where invited, give evidence at hearings. The Planning Inspectorate states that local views and the evidence gathered were considered before the recommendation was sent to ministers.
Decision documents, including the Order and decision letter, are published on the National Infrastructure Planning project page referenced in the official announcement. A DCO is made as a statutory instrument and typically contains ‘Requirements’ akin to planning conditions; the Order names the body responsible for approving details, which is usually the relevant planning authority. Given the site location, North Yorkshire Council would ordinarily act as the discharging authority unless the Order provides otherwise.
A six‑week window for legal challenge now applies. Under section 118 of the Planning Act 2008, any challenge must be brought by claim for judicial review in the High Court within six weeks, calculated from the day after publication of the Order or, if later, the statement of reasons.
For promoters and councils, near‑term programme activity typically focuses on discharging Requirements such as detailed design, construction environmental management and phasing plans, and agreeing approval procedures and timescales with the named authority. Government guidance encourages setting clear approval mechanisms in the Order and early engagement with the discharging body.
The decision lands amid ongoing reforms to improve NSIP performance. Government guidance introduced an optional fast‑track for suitable projects in April 2024, targeting a 12‑month route from acceptance to decision compared with an average of around 17 months for standard applications. Helios progressed on the standard timetable.
All decision materials, the Examining Authority’s recommendation and the examination library are available via the National Infrastructure Planning project pages linked from the government announcement.