Examination Closes 21 Ocotber 2026
Final Closing Submissions and Statements of Common Ground were submitted on 16 October. The Examiners will close the Examination on 21 October 2026, they then have three months to review all the evidence and write their report to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (SoS). The SoS will then have up to three months to make a decision.
We are confident we have put forward a very strong argument for why Lime Down should be refused consent. For now, we wait.
No upcoming events.
PINS Examination Overview
The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) commenced its Examination of the Lime Down Solar application on 21 April 2026.
During the Examination, an independent Examining Authority is considering evidence submitted by the Applicant, local authorities, statutory bodies, technical experts, landowners, community groups and other Interested Parties before making a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Stop Lime Down has engaged specialist planning consultants, barristers and independent experts to ensure that local concerns are fully represented throughout the Examination.
Our Written Representations and supporting documents, running to thousands of pages, set out evidence on the likely effects of the proposed development on the landscape, transport, ecology, flooding, heritage, agriculture and local communities.
Examination Timetable
21 April 2026 – Preliminary Meeting and First Hearings
22 April 2026 – First Issue Specific Hearing, including matters relating to community engagement
1 May 2026 – Main Written Representations and Local Impact Reports submitted
12 June 2026 – Responses to the Examining Authority’s First Written Questions
30 June–3 July 2026 – Open Floor Hearing 2 and further Issue Specific Hearings
15 September 2026 – Further hearings at the National Self Build Conference Centre, Swindon, SN5 8UB
and Accompanied Site Inspection if required.
2 October 2026 – Final submissions and closing statements
21 October 2026 – Close of Examination.
Examiners then have 3 months to write their report which will then be submitted to the Secretary of State
Spring 2027 – Secretary of State’s decision expected
Click on green link to see the SLD Expert representations
