Public consultation now open
National Grid Electricity Transmission is consulting on proposals for a new and upgraded electricity substation on land immediately south of the existing Warley substation, near the M25, A127 and Clay Tye Road.
The consultation runs from 21 September to 16 October 2026 and provides an opportunity for local residents, businesses and stakeholders to learn more about our proposals and share their views before a planning application is submitted.
Your feedback is important and will help us refine our proposals.
Key facts
• Consultation: 21 September to 16 October 2026
• Proposed location: Land south of the existing Warley substation on Clay Tye Road
• Technology: 400kV Gas Insulated Substation (GIS)
• Community Fund: £530,000 (subject to planning approval)
• Planning application anticipated: Early 2027
• In-person consultation events: Sat 26 Sept and Weds 30 September
• Virtual consultation event: Tues 6 October
Why is a new substation needed?
The new and upgraded substation at Warley is needed because the existing substation is coming towards the end of its useful life.
In addition, network upgrades and reinforcement are required in the area, and there is demand for new connections to the network. It is National Grid’s legal obligation and responsibility to connect all customers when they request power.
The new substation is also an important step to support the UK’s clean energy and economic growth goals, as National Grid upgrades the existing grid to ensure clean energy can be brought from where it’s generated to where it’s needed by homes and businesses.
A new and upgraded substation at Warley will help to fulfil all these requirements.
Our proposals
The proposed development would comprise a new 400 kilovolt (kV) Gas Insulated Substation (GIS). GIS technology allows the substation to have a smaller footprint than a conventional design, helping to minimise impacts on the surrounding area.
The project would:
- Upgrade and replace the existing substation as it reaches the end of its useful life
- Upgrade and reinforce the local electricity network
- Enable new connections to the transmission network
- Support the UK's clean energy ambitions
- Remove one existing pylon as part of the proposals
- Deliver landscape planting and screening to help reduce visual impacts
No additional overhead line pylons are required as part of this planning application.
Our proposed site
We undertook a comprehensive site selection process looking at factors including size, accessibility, power connectivity, and existing overhead lines.
The site had to be near existing overhead power lines, as close as possible to the existing substation, and large enough for the proposed development and new landscaping.
After an appraisal and technical review, our proposed site is immediately south of the existing Warley substation, by the M25 and A127, and accessed via Clay Tye Road.
The new site will be larger in size than the existing substation due to the need to upgrade and reinforce the network and in response to increased local demand.
Community Fund
If planning permission is granted, National Grid will provide a Community Fund of £530,000.
The fund will be shaped by local priorities and developed in line with government guidance to deliver lasting benefits for the community. During this consultation we would welcome your ideas about how such a fund could best support local people and organisations.
Environmental considerations
The proposed site lies within the Green Belt. Our planning application will explain the site selection process and set out the very special circumstances that justify the development.
We are undertaking a range of technical and environmental assessments, including:
• Landscape and visual assessments
• Heritage assessments
• Flood risk assessments
• Ecology surveys
• Noise assessments
• Air quality assessments
• Traffic and transport assessments
We are committed to delivering at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain and to identifying appropriate mitigation measures to minimise environmental effects during construction and operation.
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Opinion was submitted to the London Borough of Havering in July 2026 (planning application reference Z0006.26). Information from ongoing surveys and assessments will help shape the planning application.
Traffic and access
The proposed site would continue to be accessed from Clay Tye Road, as is the current substation.
We recognise that construction activity may affect local roads. Detailed transport assessments are underway, and a traffic management strategy will be developed to minimise impacts wherever possible. Full details will accompany the planning application.
Have your say
We welcome your feedback on our proposals.
Consultation period: 21 September to 16 October 2026.
As part of the public consultation, we’re holding two drop in events for the local community:
Where: St Mary Magdalene’s Church, North Ockendon, Upminster, RM14 3QH
When: Saturday 26 Sept 2026, 11:30am-4:30pm
Where: Bulphan Village Hall, Church Road, Essex, RM14 3RU
When: Wednesday 30 Sept 2026, 1:00pm-6:00pm
At these events, we will share details of our proposals and offer you a chance to provide feedback. Please drop in at any point and team members will be available to answer your questions.
Following the drop-in events, we will also be holding an online information event for those unable to make the in-person sessions. This will take place via Zoom on Tuesday 06 October 2026, 5–6pm.
If you would like to register for this event, please email [email protected]
Ways to respond
You can submit feedback:
- Through our online feedback form
- By completing a paper feedback form and posting it to
- Freepost RTBU-HAYY-LCUX, 7 Bayley Street, London, WC1B 3HB
- By email to [email protected]
- By telephone: 0800 138 5539 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
What happens next?
Following consultation, we will review all feedback received and consider how it can be incorporated into the proposals.
The current programme is:
- 21 September 2026 – Consultation begins
- 16 October 2026 – Consultation closes
- Early 2027 – Planning application submitted
- Summer 2027 – Planning decision expected
- Autumn 2028 – Construction anticipated to begin, subject to obtaining the necessary consents
Contact
For more information, please get in touch:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0800 138 5539 (between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday)
Freepost RTBU-HAYY-LCUX, 7 Bayley Street, London WC1B 3HB (no stamp needed)