The way we generate electricity in the UK is changing rapidly, and we are transitioning to cheaper, cleaner and more secure forms of energy like new offshore windfarms. We need to make changes to the network of overhead lines, pylons, cables and other infrastructure that transports electricity around the country, so that everyone has access to clean electricity from these new renewable sources.
In July 2023, we consulted on our proposals for works in the Cottingham area, north of Hull. Since then, we've worked to refine our plans in response to the feedback we've received.
We've now submitted two applications to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, for:
- Wanlass Beck 400kV Substation (formerly referred to as Creyke Beck 400kV extension)
- a new substation 700m to the north, called Birkhill Wood Substation.
Our proposals are part of The Great Grid Upgrade – the largest overhaul of the grid in generations.
Wanlass Beck 400 kV Substation
(Formerly referred to as Creyke Beck 400 kV Extension)
Project Update
In July 2023, we consulted on plans to extend the existing Creyke Beck 400 kV Substation to the southwest. We originally referred to this as ‘Creyke Beck Substation Extension’. After refining our design and reviewing the overall project, this is now called Wanlass Beck Substation.
We’ve now incorporated feedback from the consultation into our designs, and in December 2024 submitted our application to East Riding of Yorkshire Council (24/03819/STPLF).In response to the feedback, we’ve updated the Air Insulated design to a Gas Insulated design, which will allow the size of the footprint to be reduced from 6.41ha to 2.02ha, and the maximum height to be reduced from 17m to 14.3m. This updated design means we are also now able to ensure the fence line falls outside of the flood risk zone.
Project Description
To connect the proposed Hornsea Project Four offshore wind farm and a solar and battery storage project, we need to extend existing Creyke Beck 400 kV Substation on land we own to the southwest of the existing substation. During our public consultation we referred to this as Creyke Beck Substation extension, but following design changes and a review of the project, moving forward this is called Wanlass Beck Substation.
We are proposing a construction road directly off the A1079 to both the existing substation and the new substation, avoiding the need for the construction traffic to use Park Lane and minimising disruption to residents and businesses locally during construction and the ongoing operation of the substations.
Park Lane, which is also part of National Cycle Route 1, will need to be partially diverted on the land that is intended for location of this Wanlass Beck Substation. We will ensure the new section of this route is constructed of the same or to a higher standard and we will build and open the new section of road before starting work on the substation extension.
Since consulting in July 2023, we have continued to develop and refine our design. Owed to new SF6 free technology becoming more readily available, Wanlass Beck, originally an air insulated (AIS) design has now been updated to a gas insulated (GIS) design. This has allowed the footprint of the substation to be reduced from approximately 6.41 hectares to 2.02 hectares and the maximum height of the proposed equipment to be reduced from 17 metres to 14.3 metres. The design change has allowed for the proposed substation to avoid the flood protection zone to the south west of Creyke Beck and provide greater flexibility to manage cable routing for our customer connecting into the substation extension.
Whilst we won’t have the exact final design for the Wanlass Beck Substation until a main works contractor is appointed, figure 1 below indicatively shows the current proposed layout and design.
To facilitate the reconfiguration of overhead line circuits into and between the Creyke Beck and Wanlass Beck substation we need to install an additional overhead line tower adjacent Wanlass Beck Substation, The tower will have an approximate height of 55m and once commissioned will allow the removal of one of the existing similar height overhead towers adjacent Creyke Beck Substation
Birkhill Wood 400 kV Substation (new substation)
Project Update
We need to connect Dogger Bank (a group of proposed new offshore wind farms), two interconnector proposals and the proposed North Humber to High Marnham grid upgrades. To do so, a separate, new 400kV substation is needed.
In June 2025, we submitted a planning application to East Riding of Yorkshire Council after refining our proposals in response to feedback we received during our July 2023 consultation (25/01898/STPLF). Our submitted application would see the maximum substation height adjusted to 14.3m, from 12m, to house the internal GIS equipment. We’ve also reduced the building footprint compared to our earlier plans, from 3ha to 2.4ha.
We need to install two new overhead line towers to allow us to reconfigure overhead line circuits into Birkhill Wood substation. These towers will reach approximately 40m and will be installed in alignment with existing adjacent overhead line sites.
Project Description
We also need to connect Dogger Bank, a group of proposed new offshore wind farm, two interconnector proposals and the proposed North Humber to High Marnham grid upgrade. To do that a separate 400 kV substation is needed. It’s not possible to connect everything proposed in the area to the existing Creyke Beck substation or the further proposed Wanlass Beck Substation. The proposed site for the new Birkhill Wood Substation is approximately 700 metres to the north of the existing Creyke Beck Substation.
We are proposing a GIS substation, where most of the equipment is housed within a single building and has a smaller footprint overall. We identified this site as the best option from a list of seven evaluated sites and it needs to be a compact GIS design because of land constraints, including underground gas and water pipes
While we won’t have the exact final design for the substation extension until a main contractor is appointed. Figure 3 below indicatively shows the current proposed layout and design.
Since consulting in July 2023, we have continued to develop and refine our proposed design. The proposed new substation compound has been reduced from approximately 3.04 hectares to 2.4 hectares maximum and we have adjusted the maximum height of the proposed substation building, increasing from 12 metres to a maximum height of 14.3 metres to house equipment inside.
To facilitate the reconfiguration of overhead line circuits into Birkhill Wood substation we need to install 2 additional overhead line towers. The towers will have an approximate height of 40 metres. They will be installed on the alignment of the existing overhead line that runs adjacent the Birkhill Wood site. To install the new towers there will be some temporary masts installed to provide a temporary bypass of the existing overhead line.
Next steps
Our applications will now be reviewed by the planning department at East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The application will then be determined, either by members of East Riding’s Planning Committee, or via delegated decision by planning officers.
Biodiversity Net Gain
We are committed as an organisation to providing a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain across all our new build infrastructure projects. This will help to increase biodiversity in the surrounding land, such as flora, fauna and the wildlife habitat.
Consultation materials
You can view all of our consultation documents and materials below.
Creyke Beck extension and new substation - Consultation leaflet
Creyke Beck extension and new substation - Exhibition banners
Contact us
Please get in touch if you have any questions or comments about the proposed development by emailing [email protected], or calling 08083 040658. Our phone lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Any calls received outside of these times will be picked up via answerphone and responded to the next working day.
Find out more about National Grid Electricity Transmission
Watch the videoWho is National Grid?
National Grid sits at the heart of Britain’s energy system, connecting millions of people and businesses to the energy they use every day. It's our vision to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future.
National Grid is a group of companies and one of those companies, National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), owns, builds and maintains the high voltage network in England and Wales. It's NGET who is developing the plans.
Within the National Grid Group there are other distinctly separate legal entities, each with their individual responsibilities and roles. More information about National Grid can be found on the ‘about us’ section of National Grid’s website: https://www.nationalgrid.com/about-us.
What is NGET?
We don’t generate electricity ourselves. We transport large amounts of electricity at high voltage from where it is generated to where it is needed. The local network operators then deliver it at lower voltages to individual homes and businesses.
Cottingham already has a substation, why do you need a new one?
We must build these new projects because the existing network In the region does not have the capacity to deliver the required amount of electricity to where it is needed.The way we generate electricity has changed and is continuing to change. NGET has several customers that have requested connections to the grid in the Cottingham area. The existing substation does not have sufficient connection capacity to facilitate these requests, therefore requiring a new substation and an extension to the existing substation in the area.
What is a substation?
Substations convert electricity into different voltages. This conversion is necessary because high voltages are more efficient for transmitting electricity over long distances, while lower voltages are safer and more suitable for distribution into homes and businesses. This enables electricity to be transmitted and distributed throughout the country and into homes and businesses. Substations provide a vital role in connecting overhead line circuits, generators, interconnectors, other transmission projects, and new generation sources like offshore wind farms. Substations typically include transformers, circuit breakers, disconnecting switches, and other equipment necessary for operating and protecting the electrical grid. They are above ground and once operational, do not require a large number of people to be present to operate and maintain them.
How will new connections and renewable energy development be connected to the new substation?
Responsibility for connecting to any NGET substation sits with the developer, and they are required to secure their own planning consents to facilitate the connection. National Grid is responsible for identifying the most suitable connection point following a request to connect with our network, and the voltage of this connection point.
What was the response to your consultation in July 2023?
Responses to the consultation were broadly positive. 46 people attended a public consultation event on 8 July 2023, including residents and elected representatives. The full detail of our consultation can be found by viewing our Community Engagement Report, by clicking here.
Will all vehicles associated with work use the access road from A1079? How will you ensure transport impacts on local residents are mitigated?
The new access road will be a private road serving the substation works and development of Hornsea Four. National Grid has submitted a Transport Assessment as part of its applications for work at Wanlass Beck and Birkhill Wood, which assess the impact of the proposals on the local highways network. National Grid will also be working with Highways Officers at ERYC to ensure we limit the disruption to the best of our ability.
Will there be new charging points for electric vehicles at locations adjacent to substations?
National Grid does not construct EV charging points as part of its operations. However, a Community Grant Programme is in place to fund local initiatives in the case of local disruptions, which may include supporting an increase in new EV charging provision.
What is the impact going to be on the view from my home?
We locate new infrastructure as far as we can from homes and businesses and will mitigate visual impacts as much as possible. A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment has been submitted as part of the respective planning applications outlining the visual impact of the proposals in the context of local viewpoints. This assessment, and further discussions with East Riding of Yorkshire Council as the applications progress, will also identify screening and planting measures that may mitigate any adverse impacts.
There’s a lot of space in the Northern Power Grid substation. Why can’t you build the new substation in there?
The land there is Northern Power Grid’s operational land and unfortunately cannot be used for these proposed works.
Why does the new substation have to be built close to Creyke Beck? Why can’t it be built somewhere else along the overhead line to Thornton or Keadby?
The new substation is needed to connect the proposed Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm to the electricity transmission network, along with two proposed new interconnectors – one from Scandinavia and one from Iceland. This location has been chosen to enable these connections to be made the national electricity transmission system in the most effective way.
Why were the six other potential sites explored locally for a new substation not selected?
Seven sites were identified as potential locations for a new substation in the Creyke Beck area. Six of these were ruled out due to constraints, including gas and utilities piping, size of available land, and because of development others are proposing on these sites.
How many other developments will be enabled by the new substation?
The new substation is needed to connect the proposed Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm to the electricity transmission network, along with two proposed new interconnectors – one from Scandinavia and one from Iceland. The proposed new North Humber to High Marnham electricity transmission line reinforcement will also start at the proposed new substation, carrying clean green electricity further into the country.
What and where are the offshore wind farm and interconnector customers going to build?
Dogger Bank South are consulting about their latest proposals for a 3,000 MW offshore wind farm until 17 July. You can read more about that on the Dogger Bank South project website. The two interconnector projects will also be carrying out their own consultations. Continental Link is an 1,800MW multi-purpose interconnector between the UK and Scandinavia that is being developed by National Grid Ventures. You can read more about that on the Planning Inspectorate website. Atlantic Superconnection is a proposed 1,800MW interconnector from Iceland. You can read more about that on their project website.
Will access to my property / use of National Cycle Route 1 be restricted at any time?
Access to properties and use of the National Cycle Route 1 will be maintained at all times, although some minor interruption may be necessary as part of the works. Where that is the case and wherever possible, we will agree temporary alternative options with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, SUSTRANS and landowners. Before the proposed Creyke Beck substation extension can be built, it will also be necessary to permanently divert a section of Park Lane, which is also National Cycle Route 1. The existing route will be kept open while the diverted route is constructed. Then vehicles and users can be diverted onto the new route ahead of construction of the substation extension. We will endeavour to keep any associated disruption to a minimum and continuous access will be available at all times.
Will the public footpath / bridleway / cycle route be diverted?
Access to public rights of way, bridleways and the National Cycle Route 1 will be maintained at all times, although some minor interruption may be necessary as part of the works. Where that is the case and wherever possible, we will agree temporary alternative options with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, SUSTRANS and landowners. Before the proposed Creyke Beck substation extension can be built, it will also be necessary to permanently divert a section of Park Lane, which is also National Cycle Route 1. The existing route will be kept open while the diverted route is constructed. Then vehicles and users can be diverted onto the new route ahead of construction of the substation extension. We will endeavour to keep any associated disruption to a minimum and continuous access will be available at all times.
Where will the existing overhead lines be diverted to?
There will be some modification needed to the existing overhead lines to connect the proposed new substation. These will be designed to minimise what is required. The main overhead line will remain predominantly on its current route. The proposed new North Humber to High Marnham electricity transmission line reinforcement will also start at the proposed new substation, carrying clean green electricity further into the country.
When will you be submitting a planning application for the extension to / new substation?
Our planning application for Wanlass Beck 400 kV Substation has been submitted to East Riding of Yorkshire Council. We are planning to submit our planning application for Birkhill Wood 400 kV Substation in February 2025.
When do you plan to start building the new substation?
Subject to planning permission, we currently expect construction of the new substation and substation extension to start in 2025/2026.
When will the new road be constructed and will it be permanent?
The new road will be in place prior to construction works. It will need to be built for both the substation extension and the new substation, with a permanent road required for ongoing access.
Will National Grid be constructing the new road?
The first part of the access road will be shared with Hornsea Project Four, who may require the construction road to be built first, otherwise we will build it.
Will an update be provided to residents in the local area once the plans have been finalised?
The final designs for both the substation extension and the new substation will be included as part of the planning application for each. We will let those who ask to be informed updated when we submit the planning applications.
Why can’t you put the overhead line between the new and existing substations underground?
The existing overhead line will remaining largely unaffected, with just short ‘turn-in’ connections to the new substation. This connection to the new substation is most easily and economically made by connecting from the existing overhead line. An underground cable would not provide the required system connections and would be significantly more disruptive.
Will the new substation be extended in the future?
The new building, in which much of the new equipment will be housed as a result of it being a gas insulated switchgear substation, will have some capacity for future equipment. It is possible that further additional connections, beyond the spare capacity that is currently catered for, could require the building to be extended. There are currently no plans that envisage a need for this.
Will the woodlands be affected in any way?
The substation project team is having regard to the proximity to woodland and other environmental and land use considerations with a view to avoid impacts there. The proposals for the substation will include landscaping and proposals that deliver biodiversity net gain.