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National Grid has appointed Avison Young to review and respond to local planning authority Development Plan Document consultations on its behalf. We are instructed by our client to submit the following representation with regard to the current consultation on the above document.
About National Grid
National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (NGET) owns and maintains the electricity transmission system in England and Wales. The energy is then distributed to the electricity distribution network operators, so it can reach homes and businesses.
National Grid Gas plc (NGG) owns and operates the high-pressure gas transmission system across the UK. In the UK, gas leaves the transmission system and enters the UK’s four gas distribution networks where pressure is reduced for public use.
National Grid Ventures (NGV) is separate from National Grid’s core regulated businesses. NGV develop, operate and invest in energy projects, technologies, and partnerships to help accelerate the development of a clean energy future for consumers across the UK, Europe and the United States.
Proposed development sites crossed or in close proximity to National Grid assets:
Following a review of the above Development Plan Document, we have identified several National Grid assets within the Plan area.
A plan showing details of National Grid’s assets is attached to this letter. Please note that this plan is illustrative only.
Please also see attached information outlining further guidance on development close to National Grid assets.
Further Advice
National Grid is happy to provide advice and guidance to the Council concerning their networks. If we can be of any assistance to you in providing informal comments in confidence during your policy development, please do not hesitate to contact us.
To help ensure the continued safe operation of existing sites and equipment and to facilitate future
infrastructure investment, National Grid wishes to be involved in the preparation, alteration and
review of plans and strategies which may affect their assets. Please remember to consult National
Grid on any Development Plan Document (DPD) or site-specific proposals that could affect National
Grid’s assets.
If you require any further information in respect of this letter, then please contact us.
Yours faithfully,
Guidance on development near National Grid assets
National Grid is able to provide advice and guidance to the Council concerning their networks and
encourages high quality and well-planned development in the vicinity of its assets.
Electricity assets
Developers of sites crossed or in close proximity to National Grid assets should be aware that it is
National Grid policy to retain existing overhead lines in-situ, though it recognises that there may be
exceptional circumstances that would justify the request where, for example, the proposal is of
regional or national importance.
National Grid’s ‘Guidelines for Development near pylons and high voltage overhead power lines’
promote the successful development of sites crossed by existing overhead lines and the creation of
well-designed places. The guidelines demonstrate that a creative design approach can minimise the
impact of overhead lines whilst promoting a quality environment. The guidelines can be
downloaded here: https://www.nationalgridet.com/document/130626/download
The statutory safety clearances between overhead lines, the ground, and built structures must not be
infringed. Where changes are proposed to ground levels beneath an existing line then it is important
that changes in ground levels do not result in safety clearances being infringed. National Grid can,
on request, provide to developers detailed line profile drawings that detail the height of conductors,
above ordnance datum, at a specific site.
National Grid’s statutory safety clearances are detailed in their ‘Guidelines when working near
National Grid Electricity Transmission assets’, which can be downloaded
here:www.nationalgridet.com/network-and-assets/working-near-our-assets
Gas assets
High-Pressure Gas Pipelines form an essential part of the national gas transmission system and
National Grid’s approach is always to seek to leave their existing transmission pipelines in situ.
Contact should be made with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in respect of sites affected by
High-Pressure Gas Pipelines.
National Grid have land rights for each asset which prevents the erection of permanent/ temporary
buildings, or structures, changes to existing ground levels, storage of materials etc. Additionally,
written permission will be required before any works commence within the National Grid’s 12.2m
building proximity distance, and a deed of consent is required for any crossing of the easement.
National Grid’s ‘Guidelines when working near National Grid Gas assets’ can be downloaded here:
www.nationalgridgas.com/land-and-assets/working-near-our-assets
How to contact National Grid
If you require any further information in relation to the above and/or if you would like to check if
National Grid’s transmission networks may be affected by a proposed development, please contact:
• National Grid’s Plant Protection team:
