For documents related to Stage Three consultation, please visit the Documents page
For more detailed information on the project, please visit the consultation website
Centrica has asked National Grid to connect a proposed 981 megawatt (MW) combined cycle gas turbine power station to the national electricity transmission network. The new power station, Kings Lynn B, would be built next to the existing power station at Willows Business Park, King’s Lynn.
To connect the new power station we will need to build a new 400,000 volt (400 kV) overhead power line from the power station site to a point on the existing National Grid network, which runs between Norwich and Walpole St Peter. This has been identified as the most efficient and economic way of connecting the power station to the existing line. Depending upon the final route, the line will be around 2.8km (1.75 miles) in length.
Following initial environmental and technical studies, three route corridors – broad widths of land within which an overhead line could be sited – were identified.
In 2010 we embarked on a programme of consultation to understand the views of the local community and determine which of the three route corridors should be chosen for a line.
Stage One, pre-statutory, consultation
Stage One, pre-statutory, consultation began on 22 February 2010 and we asked for people to send their views on the three potential route corridors by 7 May 2010.
Following this consultation and studies to assess each corridor’s suitability, the east corridor was chosen as the most appropriate for a new overhead line. You can find out more information about how National Grid made its decision by going to viewing the ‘Report of route corridor preference’ document.
Within the east corridor it is proposed that a new 400,000 volt overhead line will leave the power station in a south-easterly direction towards the existing 400,000 volt overhead line. The corridor contains the River Nar and the railway line and is approximately 2.8km (1.75 miles) long.
Stage Two, pre-statutory, consultation
Stage two of the public consultation started in March 2011. It informed a preferred route for a new overhead line and the locations for the pylons. The views of the community, including those with an interest in the land, were taken into account in deciding on a preferred route for a proposed overhead line.
Public consultation events took place in March 2011 at the Ramada Hotel in King’s Lynn and at the William Burt Centre Village Hall, West Winch.
There were also two community workshops that took place following the public consultation events to give members of the local community the opportunity to help inform the process in deciding the proposed locations of a new line.
A final decision on our preferred route alignment was taken after the results of technical studies and feedback obtained during this second stage of the public consultation process were taken into account. A feedback report is available on the King's Lynn connection consultation web site.
Next steps: Stage Three statutory consultation
This consultation represents our statutory stage of consultation, as prescribed by the Planning Act 2008. It covers the contents of our proposed application to the Secretary of State, including a proposed alignment of pylons and associated preliminary environmental information. This final stage of consultation began on 28 March, 2012 and will seek views on our preferred route of the proposed connection and our proposed application to the Secretary of State Following previous consultation and as a result of our ongoing technical and environmental assessments, we have now developed a proposed route for a new overhead line. We are proposing that an overhead line would run east from the new power station and cross Low Road and the River Nar. It would then run south between the River Nar and the railway before re-crossing the River Nar and connecting with the existing Walpole to Norwich 400kV overhead line east of Thiefgate Lane. We believe this route is the most suitable for a new overhead line and provides the best potential for minimising impacts on local people and the environment.
In addition, we have worked closely with the local highway authority to identify routes for delivering equipment and materials to pylon locations. Full details will be included within our traffic management plan, and details will be available throughout our final stage of consultation.
Ahead of us submitting an application for consent to build a new overhead line to the Secretary of State, we are now seeking views on this proposed alignment. This forms part of our statutory duty to consult on our proposal.
3d drivethroughs, which provide an indicative view of how a new overhead line could look, can be viewed.
Travelling along High road towards South
Travelling along Low road towards East
The consultation period ends on 11 May 2012, so we would be grateful for any comments on our proposals by this date.
Submission of application
Following Stage Three consultation, we will submit an application to the Secretary of State and at this point the public and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide comments to the Secretary of State. An explanation of how representations received have shaped and influenced our proposals will be provided to the Secretary of State in a Consultation Report, which is required by the Planning Act 2008 to accompany the Development Consent Order application. The Development Consent Order application to the Secretary of State, including reference to the proposed development being an EIA development, will be publicised. The Consultation Report and the preliminary environmental information will be made available on our website and at inspection locations.
We anticipate that this will take place in summer 2012.This timetable may change as the project progresses. We will keep you informed via this web site.
Find out more
You can find out more by:
• attending our consultation events in the Vancouver Suite of the Ramada Hotel, King’s Lynn PE30 4NB on Friday 20 April 2012, between 1pm and 8pm or at the William Burt Centre Village Hall, West Winch PE33 0JY on Saturday 21 April 2012, between 10am and 2pm
• visiting our King's Lynn connection consultation web site at: kingslynnconsultation.nationalgrid.com
• emailing nationalgrid@kingslynnconnection.com
• contacting National Grid’s freephone helpline on 0800 804 7681 (lines open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) or by
• writing to us using our freepost address:
Freepost RSGS-HKSY-GSJU
National Grid Community Relations
PO Box 3028
Bristol BS1 9FF