Major Electricity Projects

Planning authorities, statutory and non-statutory bodies, administrative bodies, landowners and the general public are consulted as part of the environmental assessment process for all major new lines or substations.

Routeing and siting studies are undertaken in accordance with our policy and guidelines, including the Holford Rules (line routeing) and Horlock Rules (substation siting).

If appropriate, an environmental statement or environmental report will be prepared to accompany applications for consent. (This is mandatory for new overhead lines of 220kV or more, and a length of more than 15 km which require consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.)

An application for Section 37 consent  for a major new line comprises an application letter and supporting documentation, which are submitted to the Secretary of State.  Copies of the application are made available in the locale and notice of the application is published in local newspapers. If the line is required to connect a new generator, we will, where possible, co-ordinate the timing of the submission to coincide with the application for Section 36 consent for the generating station.

Simultaneously with the Section 37 consent submission, formal notice of the application is served on each affected relevant local planning authority, detailing the proposed project.
 
We have a statutory obligation to consult with certain external bodies known as statutory consultees. These include English Heritage, English Nature, the Countryside Agency and Welsh History Monuments, Countryside Council for Wales. In practice, however, we often consult more widely than just the statutory organisations. 

Once the Section 37 application has been submitted, advertised and consultees have been informed, anybody wishing to comment must do so within two months from the date of application.