STEP FUSION UK Industrial Fusion Solutions December 2025 PROGRAMME DOCUMENT Contents 1 Introduction _______________________________________________________________1 2 Project Programme _________________________________________________________3 3 Issues and Activities_________________________________________________________4 4 Approach to Stakeholder Engagement _________________________________________10 5 Minimising Programme Risks_________________________________________________12 1.1 Fusion is one of the most promising options for generating the clean energy the world needs, with the potential to provide a safe, abundant source of carbon-free energy, so it could be an environmentally responsible part of the world's energy supply in the second half of this century. 1.2 The Government is investing hundreds of millions of pounds in fusion, recognising the technology's potential role in creating limitless, carbon-free energy. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Limited (UKIFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Group, has been created to lead the delivery of STEP Fusion ("the Project") to design and build the UK's first prototype fusion power plant at West Burton. 1.3 UKIFS intends to build a prototype fusion power plant to demonstrate net energy, fuel self-sufficiency, a viable route to plant maintenance, as well as delivering broad economic and social benefits to the UK along the way. This will potentially pave the way to develop a fleet of fusion power plants in the UK and around the world, and the commercialisation of fusion energy to help power our homes and businesses in the second half of this century. 1.4 UKIFS would be the 'Applicant' in securing the necessary permits, consents and licences needed to build and operate the Project. 1.5 STEP Fusion will be delivered at West Burton in Nottinghamshire ("the Site"). The Site is in Bassetlaw District in Nottinghamshire (Figure 1). It is located on the River Trent, on the border with West Lindsey District Council in Lincolnshire, with the Lincolnshire county boundary running along the mid-point of the River Trent. Figure 1: West Burton STEP Fusion Site 1.6 The Permanent Development proposals would include the prototype fusion power plant, as well as associated permanent infrastructure to support the operation and maintenance of the power plant. Given the scale and complexity of the Project, it is expected that some off-site associated development would be necessary to facilitate the construction, and potentially, operational phases of the power plant; however, given the Project is at an early stage the form and siting of these components is unknown at this early stage. 2.1 The key DCO consenting milestones are currently as follows: - Stage 1 Consultation (non-statutory) – January 2026; - EIA Scoping Report to be submitted – Q3/Q4 2026; - EIA Scoping Opinion to be received – 6 weeks following submission of the Report; - Stage 2 Consultation (statutory, if required; albeit this will be reviewed in the context of final requirements identified by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill) – Q1 2027; - Stage 3 Consultation (statutory, if required; albeit this will be reviewed in the context of final requirements identified by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill) – Q1 2028; - Submission of application for development consent – Q1 2029. 2.2 Details on the approach to engagement to complement the key consultation milestones is detailed in Section 4 of this document. 3.1 This section identifies the Applicant's view on key considerations that may require resolution with stakeholders, throughout the pre-application stage and the associated next steps. However, it should be noted that the Project is at a very early stage and therefore, this may be subject to additional items. Table 3.1 – Main issues and next steps by topic area Topic: Air Quality Issues: During the construction phase, emissions associated with the movement of vehicles, dust, as well as combustion emissions from on-site power generation, will be key considerations within the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). During the operational phase, emissions associated with the movement of vehicles and other emissions that may have the potential to impact human health will be key considerations within the EIA. Proposed Activities: A full suite of air quality surveys and associated modelling work is planned to inform the impact assessment. Engagement with stakeholders including Natural England, Bassetlaw District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council. Potential impacts and mitigation to reduce and avoid these impacts will be outlined within the ES. Mitigation measures will be secured through the Outline Construction Environmental Management Plan (oCEMP) and other control documents. Topic: Aquatic Ecology Issues: The Site is adjacent to the tidally influenced River Trent, which provides an important habitat for aquatic species, notably migratory fish such as European eel and salmonids. Aquatic features within the Site include an angling lake, and three watercourses, all three of which are Water Framework Directive (WFD) water bodies. Onsite aquatic specific may experience direct or indirect effects depending on where physical development occurs. The River Trent and the related aquatic ecology could be affected by activities such as water abstraction, discharges, noise and vibration, siltation, pollution run-off, and increased vessel traffic. Proposed Activities: A full suite of surveys and associated modelling work has started with other activities planned to inform the impact assessment. This will include: (i) aquatic surveys on the named watercourses, unnamed ditch systems, and isolated water bodies have been conducted; and (ii) boat-based surveys have also been conducted on the River Trent, findings of which will establish the environmental baseline. Engagement with stakeholders including the Environment Agency, Bassetlaw District and Nottinghamshire County Councils. A WFD assessment will be prepared in consultation with the Environment Agency. Topic: Climate Change and Resilience Issues: A degree of climate change is expected over the lifetime of the Project due to historic greenhouse gas emissions and the lag in the climate system. Climate hazards that have the potential to impact the Project across the construction, operation and decommissioning phases are likely to include: • Increasing temperatures and extreme temperature events such as heatwaves. • Potential for prolonged dry spells and heavy rainfall in summer on dry ground causing flooding. • Exacerbated ground movement and stability impacts from saturated or dry ground conditions. • Increasing frequency and intensity of high winds, storm events, lighting strike. Potential impacts to the project are likely to manifest in damage or degradation of assets, increased maintenance, repair or replacement. Proposed Activities: As part of the DCO, a climate vulnerability assessment will be completed to support the scoping stage. Engagement with stakeholders including Bassetlaw District and Nottinghamshire County Councils. Topic: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Issues: The benefits of this energy, in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) terms, needs to be understood in the context of a whole life assessment of the asset, accounting for activities that give rise to GHG emissions in its construction, operation and future decommissioning. Proposed Activities: As part of the DCO process a whole life carbon assessment will provide a means of quantifying the activities giving rise to GHG emissions and evaluating their significance in the context of UK GHG emissions. Engagement with stakeholders including Bassetlaw District and Nottinghamshire County Councils. Potential impacts and mitigation to reduce and avoid these impacts will be outlined within the ES. Mitigation measures will be secured through the oCEMP, Outline Operational Environmental Management Plan (oOEMP) and Decommissioning Environmental Management Plan (oDEMP). Topic: Terrestrial Ecology Issues: The Site is within the Impact Risk Zone (IRZ) that extends around Lea Marsh SSSI, located less than 0.15km to the east of the Site. There are some non-statutory Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) within the Site. Ecological surveys have been carried out to record the baseline status and distribution of habitats and species at the Site. Several species that are legally protected and/or national biodiversity conservation priorities occur within the Site. The Site includes several Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) of plants that are legally controlled as they pose a threat to native habitats/species. The Project has the potential to result in habitat losses within the LWS, which are biodiversity conservation sites of county-level importance. Proposed Activities: Plans to mitigate the effects of the Project on biodiversity are likely to include displacement of legally protected species from physical development footprint, into suitable predetermined receptor habitats. Species displacement and translocation would take place once a DCO or other relevant planning permission is in place and the requisite Natural England licenses have been obtained. Engagement with stakeholders including Natural England, Bassetlaw District and Nottinghamshire County Councils. Potential impacts and mitigation to reduce and avoid these impacts will be outlined within the ES. Mitigation measures will be secured through the oCEMP and Outline Landscape Environmental Management Plan (oLEMP). Topic: Ground Conditions Issues: The extent and magnitude of contaminated ground (soil, gas and groundwater) has been assessed to enable consideration of materials suitable for reuse. Contamination of soil and groundwater may need to be remediated if quantities exceed values prior to construction start. Site investigations are ongoing, including the use of exploratory boreholes. Proposed Activities: Engagement with stakeholders including Bassetlaw District and Nottinghamshire County Councils. Potential impacts and mitigation to reduce and avoid these impacts will be outlined within the ES. Mitigation measures will be secured through the oCEMP. Topic: Groundwater Issues: Groundwater levels for all deposits and strata across the Site are typically shallow, between 2 and 8m below ground level, and available mapping shows that the Site is susceptible to groundwater flooding. A combination of desk-based studies, ground investigations and numerical modelling has been undertaken to establish the current groundwater conditions. The main considerations relate to possible impacts on potential receptors, including the River Trent, as a result of excavation and any dewatering activities. Proposed Activities: To support the development of a robust conceptual understanding of the groundwater flow regime, a runoff and recharge model has been developed to quantify the site water balance and to estimate the degree of groundwater recharge. Engagement with stakeholders including Bassetlaw District and Nottinghamshire County Councils. Potential impacts and mitigation to reduce and avoid these impacts will be outlined within the ES. Mitigation measures will be secured through the oCEMP. Topic: Historic Environment Issues: There are several designated heritage assets in the vicinity of the Site, including Gainsborough Riverside Conservation Area to the north-east, Saundby Conservation Area to the north-west and Wheatley Conservation Area to the west. All of which contain several listed buildings. The scheduled monument of West Burton is in the south of the Site, which is of national importance. To date, an early-stage Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment (HEDBA) and a Geoarchaeological Baseline Report (GBR) has been prepared. Proposed Activities: Further assessments will consider the potential for effects resulting from direct loss of, or distance to deposits of archaeological and paleoenvironmental interests within the site and effects resulting from change in the settings of designated heritage assets. The study area for the latter is likely to extend up to 5km. Engagement with stakeholders including Historic England, Bassetlaw District and Nottinghamshire County Councils. Mitigation will be identified in the ES and secured in the oCEMP, oOEMP and oDEMP. Topic: Hydrology, Water Quality and Flood Risk Issues: The Site is bordered by the River Trent, a main river. The Site is predominantly situated in Flood Zone 1, although some low-lying areas are located within Flood Zone 2 and 3. Potential key issues include a change in flood risk on and off site and a change in surface water quality during construction, operational and decommissioning phases. Proposed Activities: Any potential impacts on hydrology, water quality and flood risk will be identified, minimised and mitigated through the design process. Detailed hydraulic modelling of the area will continue to be progressed to inform the design. Engagement with stakeholders including Environment Agency, the Lead Local Flood authority and Internal Drainage Board. Mitigation will be identified in the ES and secured in the oCEMP, oOEMP and oDEMP for the protection of water environment and prevention of increased flood risk. Topic: Landscape and Visual Issues: The Site's character has significant industrial elements with rich natural habitats and historic interest. Proposed Activities: A Zone of Theoretical Visibility will be defined to understand the current context. The plant complex will be designed carefully to minimise its impact on the surrounding landscape and views. Engagement with stakeholders including Bassetlaw District Council and Natural England. Mitigation will be identified in the ES and secured in the oLEMP and Works Plans. Topic: Noise and Vibration Issues: The noise levels around the Site are low, therefore the introduction of noise generating sources has the potential to result in adverse impacts on nearby sensitive receptors. Consequently, mitigation measures will need to be considered to minimise impacts as far as possible. Potential noise sources include construction noise generated by activities on site; construction road traffic noise from vehicles; construction noise generated by off-site development; operational noise from on-site and off-site sources. Proposed Activities: Engagement with stakeholders including Bassetlaw District and Nottinghamshire County Councils. Mitigation will be identified in the ES and secured in the oCEMP, oOEMP and oDEMP. Topic: Conventional Waste and Excavated Materials Issues: Construction waste, as well as arisings from excavated materials, are expected to be generated. There is also likely to b waste associated during the operational phase. Proposed Activities: The Project will have regard to the waste hierarchy when developing its waste management strategy. Engagement with stakeholders including Bassetlaw District and Nottinghamshire County Councils, as well as the Environment Agency. Mitigation will be identified in the ES and secured in the oCEMP. Topic: Socio-economics (including health) Issues: Initial work has started to understand the broad assumptions that will underpin the assessment (e.g. workforce numbers and profile, along with what skills area available locally). Proposed Activities: The Project will work with stakeholders including Bassetlaw District and Nottinghamshire County Councils to identify opportunities for the Project as well as other stakeholders to maximise the transformational opportunity that arise from projects of this nature, whilst working to identify any mitigation measures. Mitigation will be identified in the ES and secured as appropriate through the necessary control documents (e.g. legal agreement and action plans). Topic: Transport Issues: The Project is seeking to maximise the use of non-road-based modes, so far as practicable, for the movements associated from both a workforce and materials perspective. Proposed Activities: A transport model is being developed, which will be used to identify the measures needed to manage and mitigate the effects. Topic: Other Considerations including Major Accidents and Disasters Issues: Recognising the early stage of the Project, the Applicant is at an early stage of scoping some of the other matters that will be considered as part of the Application for development consent. Proposed Activities: Engagement with stakeholders including Bassetlaw District and Nottinghamshire County Councils, as well as the regulators and others to identify the appropriate scope of the ES and the appropriate control documents to secure the necessary commitments and controls. 4.1 The Applicant is currently liaising with Bassetlaw District and Nottinghamshire County Councils as 'Host Authorities', as well as West Lindsey District and Lincolnshire County Councils given their proximity to the Site and potential to be host authorities. The Councils have been notified on UKIFS' intention to launch the Stage 1 consultation in Q1 2026; and negotiations on Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) has just commenced. Once the PPAs are in place a structured approach to engagement on the key consenting matters of relevance to them will be set up, albeit noting that UKIFS is at a very early stage and the engagement will need to flex around the key programme milestones. 4.2 Early engagement has also been held with Natural England, the Environment Agency, Marine Management Organisation and some other key statutory bodies. Similarly, this has been very strategic; and following the launch of the Stage 1 consultation, a programme of engagement will be established with each organisation on the key consenting matters of relevance to them. 4.3 The Applicant is mindful of the imminent changes arising from the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will influence the detailed approach to consultation and engagement. The Applicant intends to seek to agree the principles of the approach with the key stakeholders, particularly the Host and neighbouring Authorities, which will be shared with the Planning Inspectorate at the appropriate stage. However, at this stage the Applicant envisages the following: Table 4.1: Approach to Stakeholder Engagement - Planning Inspectorate: Direct Engagement (including technical meetings), Written Briefings - Host Authorities: Direct Engagement (including technical meetings), Written Briefings, Newsletters, Previews to key milestone activities, Project Website - Neighbouring Authorities: Direct Engagement (including technical meetings), Written Briefings, Newsletters, Previews to key milestone activities, Project Website - Prescribed Consultees (Technical): Direct Engagement (including technical meetings), Written Briefings, Previews to key milestone activities - Prescribed Consultees (Community): Direct Engagement (including technical meetings), Written Briefings, Individual Communications (in writing and / or meetings), Previews to key milestone activities (Host Parish Councils), Project Website - Those with an interest in land: Direct Engagement (including technical meetings), Individual Communications (in writing and / or meetings), Newsletters - Community: Direct Engagement (including technical meetings), Newsletters, Project Website - Political stakeholders (e.g. members of parliament): Direct Engagement (including technical meetings), Written Briefings, Individual Communications (in writing and / or meetings), Newsletters, Project Website 5.1 The Applicant undertakes a regular risk review – both in terms of a risk identification process that includes defining the project scope, identifying potential risks, assessing the likelihood and impact of each risk, and developing mitigation plans for the most critical risks, as well as a risk assessment process that evaluates the impact of identified risks, whereas risk identification focuses on the likelihood of risks occurring. 5.2 This workstream includes: the maintenance of the Project risk register across the Project (noting the interfaces between the various workstreams including engineering, consenting); involvement of suitably qualified and experienced workstream leads (including DCO, Communications and Permitting) in the process and being responsible for identifying and managing any mitigation; and regular reporting. 5.3 Measures that will be used throughout the consenting process to manage risk will include: • Ensuring that the design detail that will underpin the consenting process is received in sufficient time to achieve the consenting milestones. • Timely engagement with key stakeholders to agree survey and assessment requirements, having regard to the DCO as well as other related consenting requirements. • Working closely with landowners to minimise delays to timely surveys, including ensuring land access and related agreements. • Monitoring of and engagement with other developers to identify any additional emerging schemes in the local area and work to manage any potential interfaces, whilst ensuring matters from a cumulative perspective. WEST BURTON STEP Fusion/UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd, West Burton Power Station, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 9BL, UK CULHAM CAMPUS STEP Fusion/UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd, Culham Campus, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3DB, UK [email protected] @STEPTOFUSION UK Industrial Fusion Solutions