Specialist CPO and Blight Solicitor, Michael Harman, gives an update on the East Anglia GREEN and Twinstead to Bramford National Grid schemes.
The above two schemes are still in progress and National Grid remain committed to ensure that both projects are live/operational by 2030. Whilst both have not yet been a formal application for a Development Consent Order (DCO), we can provide the following updates:
This scheme has gathered less attention than East Anglia GREEN, but still is a scheme of note locally. The proposal is to remove 27km of existing overhead lines and replace with approximately 18km of new pylons, with 11km of underground cabling through the Stour Valley and Dedham Value ANOB. The route will broadly follow the existing route but the capacity of the lines will be increased from 132kV to 400kV. There will also be a new substation in the vicinity of Wickham St Paul.
The scheme has been long-running – first mooted in 2010, put on hold in 2013, before being reignited in 2021 with a formal statutory consultation in September and October 2022.
This scheme appears to be about getting power out of East Anglia and into London and the Midlands. The East Coast generates a lot of power through Sizewell and Off-Shore Wind Farms, but Solar Farms are also coming online with the Longfield Solar Farm in Essex currently at examination and additional projects mooted in Flowton, Bramford and Bucklesham, all in Suffolk.
Of note, National Grid are proposing a temporary Haul Road in the vicinity of Sudbury Road (A131) with a mind on not overburdening the local roads or requiring “interventions” i.e. upgrades to the existing road network. The Haul Road may be in place for 3 or so years – so quite an engineering operation of itself.
As stated, a formal DCO application has not been made, but affected landowners and parties are recommended to register their interest with the Planning Inspectorate when that does happen, likely early 2023.
This remains very much of public interest, not surprising given the size of the scheme – well illustrated by the fact that it straddles three Counties (Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex), ten Local Planning/Unitary Authorities and one-hundred and seventeen Parish Councils.
The 180km of pylons with be of 400kV capacity but there will be some “undergrounding” in sensitive areas – notably the Dedham Vale ANOB.
Although National Grid expect a DCO application in 2024 there are some things we do know. The first is that National Grid are seeking to survey land now and throughout 2023. There is a pro forma licence in circulation which is a vast improvement on a previous iteration of a “licence” or more accurately, a letter with a paragraph. National Grid will be putting pressure on landowners to “sign up” to the licence – the threat being the exercise of statutory powers if not. We know that the compensation offered in respect of the non-invasive licence agreement is £500, with an additional £250 if night-time surveys are required (think bats, badgers etc).
It is also in contemplation that undergrounding will be instructive. Namely, a corridor of 65m to carry out works to put the cabling in, with a 2400m2 footprint of a “sealing end compound” where underground cables are then connected to pylons. So that is a lot of earth that will be moved and land to be reinstated.
We are advised that National Grid expect to be starting works in 2027 and completing in 2030 – that would mean construction is at a considerable pace.
We know that Fisher German are the land agent and that affected landowners/those with relevant property interests can be expected to be contacted imminently by Terra-Quest, a land-referencing agency, potentially before Christmas 2022.
We also know that farming around pylons will be possible, subject to clearances. Where there are cables there will likely be “no dig” zones and this is something to watch for.
We don’t know how many pylons there will be or of what design. That said, we suspect that these will be the newer-lattice style pylons. Our view is based on a number of things; this is what people are more used to, this is what is proposed at Bramford/Twinstead and they are cheaper than the T-Pylons that have been used elsewhere, notably the Mendip Hills ANOB.
Again, we will write an update once there is something further to report – likely the opening of the formal statutory consultation.
If you would like advice regarding any communication from companies involved in either of the projects above, our specialist Planning Law lawyers will be pleased to help.
Call 01206593933 and speak to a specialist planning law solicitor. Or complete the form below.
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