The Development Consent Order (DCO) process

The proposed new railway between Bedford and Cambridge has been designated as a project of national significance. This means East West Railway Company (EWR Co) apply to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Development  Consent Order (DCO) in accordance with the Planning Act 2008 to get approval to build and operate the new railway.  The DCO process is governed by the Planning Act 2008 and has six stages:

Pre-application (no set timescale)

Before we submit our application, we’re required to carry out a  statutory consultation on the project. We are planning to hold  two consultations to further develop our plans. The non-statutory consultation is being held in 2024 and the statutory consultation is proposed for 2025.

After the statutory consultation, we’ll produce a Consultation  Report, which will explain how feedback has been considered in  the design of the project. We will then submit this report alongside the other relevant documentation required to support our DCO  application to the Planning Inspectorate. We plan to submit our  DCO application at the earliest opportunity following the statutory consultation. 

Take part

Respond to the consultations. Register at eastwestrail.co.ukfor newsletter updates.

Acceptance (28 days)

Once our application is submitted, the Planning  Inspectorate has 28 days to review the application  and decide whether to proceed to the next stage. They will consider whether all relevant documents have been submitted and whether the pre-application consultation has been adequate.

Take part

Check our website for updates at eastwestrail.co.ukYou can also find updates on the project’s status at national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Pre-examination (approx 3 months)

Once our application has been accepted, we must  publicise this and explain how people can register to  become Interested Parties. Interested Parties will be kept informed of progress and opportunities to make  representations and speak at public hearings.

The Examining Authority will hold a Preliminary  Meeting to discuss how and when the application will be examined.

Take part

You can register to become an Interested Party and also sign up to get updates about the project on the  PINS website. Signing up to get updates does not mean you have registered to have your say and does not  mean you are an interested party.

Examination (6 months)

The Examining Authority gathers and reviews  evidence and views, including supporting evidence provided by EWR and representations and written  submissions made by Interested Parties.

Take part

Interested Parties can make written submissions and request to speak at public hearings.

Decision (6 months)

The Examining Authority makes a recommendation  to the Secretary of State on whether or not to grant development consent. This must be done within three months from the end of the examination period.

The Secretary of State then has three months to make a decision (this can be extended).

Take part

Check our website for updates at https://eastwestrail.co.ukYou can also find updates on the Project’s status  at national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk  

Post-decision (6 weeks)

There is a six-week period during which anyone  can challenge the way the decision has been  made. This process is known as Judicial Review.