Representation by National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (National Grid Electricity Transmission plc)
- Date submitted
- 29 March 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
This relevant representation is submitted on behalf of National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc (“National Grid”) in respect of the Project, and in particular National Grid’s infrastructure and land which is within or in close proximity to the proposed Order Limits. National Grid will require appropriate protection for retained apparatus including compliance with relevant standards for works proposed within close proximity of its apparatus. National Grid’s rights of access to inspect, maintain, renew and repair such apparatus must also be maintained at all times and access to inspect and maintain such apparatus must not be restricted. Further, where the Applicant intends to acquire land or rights, or interfere with any of National Grid’s interests in land or National Grid’s apparatus, National Grid will require appropriate protection and further discussion is required on the impact to its apparatus and rights. Further detail is set out below. National Grid infrastructure within/in close proximity to the proposed Order Limits National Grid owns or operates the following infrastructure within or in close proximity to the proposed Order Limits for the Project: Electricity Transmission NGET has a substation and high voltage electricity overhead transmission lines within or in close proximity to the proposed Order Limits including Cottam 400kV Substation. The substation and overhead lines form an essential part of the electricity transmission network in England and Wales. The details of the electricity assets are as follows: Substations • Cottam 400kV Substation • Associated cables • Associated fibre cable • Overhead Lines • 4VE 400kV Cottam – Keadby 1 Cottam – Keadby 2 Cottam – Grendon Cottam – Staythorpe 2 • ZDA 400kV Cottam – West Burton High Marnham – West Burton Cottam – Staythorpe 1 • 4ZM 400kV Bicker Fen - Spalding North - West Burton Bicker Fen - Walpole - West Burton • 4VK 400kV Cottam – Eaton Socon – Wymondley 2 Protection of National Grid Assets As a responsible statutory undertaker, National Grid’s primary concern is to meet its statutory obligations and ensure that any development does not impact in any adverse way upon those statutory obligations. As such, National Grid has a duty to protect its position in relation to infrastructure and land which is within or in close proximity to the draft Order Limits. As noted, National Grid’s rights to retain its apparatus in situ and rights of access to inspect, maintain, renew and repair such apparatus located within or in close proximity to the Order Limits should be maintained at all times and access to inspect and maintain such apparatus must not be restricted. National Grid will require protective provisions to be included within the draft Development Consent Order (the “Order”) for the Project to ensure that its interests are adequately protected and to ensure compliance with relevant safety standards. National Grid is liaising with the Applicant in relation to such protective provisions, along with any supplementary agreements which may be required. National Grid requests that the Applicant continues to engage with it to provide explanation and reassurances as to how the Applicant’s works pursuant to the Order (if made) will ensure protection for those National Grid assets which will remain in situ, along with facilitating all future access and other rights as are necessary to allow National Grid to properly discharge its statutory obligations. National Grid will continue to liaise with the Applicant in this regard with a view to concluding matters as soon as possible during the DCO Examination and will keep the Examining Authority updated in relation to these discussions. Compulsory Acquisition Powers in respect of the Project As noted, where the Applicant intends to acquire land or rights, or interfere with any of National Grid’s interests in land, National Grid will require further discussion with the Applicant. National Grid reserves the right to make further representations as part of the Examination process in relation to specific interactions with its assets but in the meantime will continue to liaise with the Applicant with a view to reaching a satisfactory agreement. Connections The Project proposes a connection to Cottam 400kV Substation. In relation to the connection National Grid is working with the Applicant to enter into connection agreements and other commercial arrangements at the relevant time. Further updates will be provided in the Statement of Common Ground.