DPP have secured planning consent for two EV charging hubs for Fastned UK in Cambridgeshire and Gateshead, to assist in the rapid expansion of their network of ultra-rapid chargers across the country.
The Cambridgeshire site started with a pre-application enquiry in 2024 where DPP approached South Cambridgeshire District Council alongside Fastned to put forward a case for development within the Green Belt, arguing that there is a need for ultra-rapid chargers in the north Cambridge area and adjacent to the strategic road network.
A full application followed in 2025, with DPP liaising with all consultants to put together a comprehensive planning package that included a landscape assessment, high quality landscape, SUDS ponds and access from the A10. DPP also carried out a Green Belt assessment to demonstrate that the site, adjacent to Milton Park & Ride and the under construction Cambridgeshire Police Station was the most appropriate in the area that had the identified need. DPP’s arguments also revolved around EV chargers being ‘essential infrastructure’ and that the land in question was effectively grey belt due to its limited role in the wider Green Belt.
For the Gateshead site, following the refusal of a planning application for a new EV charging station on the Team Valley Trading Estate (TVTE), DPP were successful in appealing to the Planning Inspectorate. Gateshead Council refused the application on four grounds: heritage, highways safety, drainage, and ecology; stating that the additional hard landscaping and canopy structures would be too damaging to the character of the locally listed TVTE, would remove on-street car parking and raise unknown impacts around drainage and ecology.
In submitting the appeal, DPP made the argument that the grassed area adjacent to the TVTE asset was purposefully excluded from the listing and its development would not result in an incongruous development given the surrounding context of parking and built form. DPP also argued that the Council’s uncertainty around the use of Grasscrete or other permeable materials were unfounded given that such detail can be secured by a condition should the principle of development be acceptable. With regards to highways matters, DPP liaised with TTC to clarify that any parking lost would not have a detrimental impact on safety and could be accommodated elsewhere.
The Planning Inspectorate agreed with each of DPP’s arguments, stating that the development would be typical for a trading estate and would provide much needed electric charging facilities. The Inspector also stated that the withholding of consultee comments by the Council was unreasonable, especially given that some contradicted the reasons for refusal.
DPP are now working with Fastned to discharge the planning conditions in order to enable a start on site as soon as possible in 2026.
Speaking about the successes, Will Marshall, Principal Planner at DPP said:
We are delighted to continue our relationship with Fastned with these fantastic results on two challenging sites. The Cambridgeshire approval overcomes the significant hurdle of developing within the Green Belt, and the decision recognises the need for ultra-rapid charging facilities along the strategic road network.
In Gateshead, the Team Valley Trading Estate is one of the first of its kind in the country and, as such, is rightfully protected. However, we welcome the Inspector’s decision that the Estate is evolving an that the charging station and iconic Fastned canopies would not be out of place in a modern trading estate. These canopies are an essential part of ensuring that EV drivers have the same level of amenity as combustion engine vehicles; an area that is safe, well-lit, and protected from the weather.
As we move to net zero in 2050 and with a predicted 26 million electric and hybrid vehicles on the road by 2040, these ultra-rapid chargers are essential to keep the country moving, so we are delighted to have secured these positive outcomes for Fastned.
Image: Fastned UK
