Great Grid Upgrade: Grimsby to Walpole

Specialist CPO solicitor, Catherine Hibbert, takes a look at National Grid's Grimsby to Walpole proposal as part of the Great Grid Upgrade.

National Grid, in response to UK Government’s overarching commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2050, is driving forward The Great Grid Upgrade to support a transition to cheaper, cleaner and more secure forms of renewable energy, including new offshore windfarms. This involves a series of massive change to the existing network of overhead lines, pylons, cables and other infrastructure that transports electricity around the country, in order that each British household can access clean electricity from new renewable sources in line with the ambition set out in The British Energy Security Strategy to increase energy from offshore wind to 50 GW by 2030 – more than enough to power every UK home.

The existing UK power line network does not have sufficient capacity to accommodate the new sources of electricity that are expected to come on-line over the next 10 years and beyond.

A number of Great Grid projects have been identified around the UK, including the Grimsby to Walpole proposal, to facilitate connections to proposed new offshore wind generators, battery storage/solar interconnectors and subsea links to Scotland and other countries across the North Sea.

The Grimsby to Walpole scheme, comprising a new 140KM high voltage electricity line, will reinforce the electricity transmission network in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, and allow clean green energy to be carried on the network from new connection points. It includes five new substations at locations including Grimsby West in North-East Lincolnshire and the Walpole area of Norfolk. The current proposed route skirts North Thoresby, Louth, Alford, Burgh le Marsh, Midville, Stickney, Langrick, Sutterton and Spalding and passes through a huge number of other communities along the way. The final route is yet to be confirmed and is likely to evolve in line with public feedback received during the consultation process.

Authority to construct and operate the Grimsby to Walpole proposal will be sought via the Development Consent Order (DCO) process. Any DCO granted is likely to include powers of compulsory acquisition to enable delivery of the scheme. Those affected by the proposals, including landowners within the route, will have the opportunity to make representations about the proposals and participate in a public inquiry before any DCO is confirmed.

One consultation round has already taken place about the scheme; further consultation is anticipated for 2025 ahead of submission of the formal DCO application in 2027 (at which point the route will be finally confirmed). Once any DCO is confirmed by the Secretary of State following public inquiry, qualifying landowners may pursue compensation claims. In the meantime, landowners can expect contact from National Grid regarding access rights for surveys/ delivery/ information about ownership.

If you are affected by this proposal and need independent advice on your options or the scope of any claim for compensation you may have in the future, then please do not hesitate to contact Holmes & Hills LLP. Our dedicated team of compulsory purchase and development consent order solicitors has the right experience to support landowners affected by these types of proposals and will be ready to help you navigate a path through the uncertain and challenging situation in which you may now find yourself.