Compulsory Purchase Order landowner information
On 1 August 2024, the Secretary of State for … confirmed, with modifications, National Grid Electricity Transmission (“National Grid”)’s National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (Scotland to England Green Link 1) Compulsory Purchase Order 2023 (“CPO”), to enable it to compulsorily acquire the land and rights necessary to construct and operate the English onshore elements of the Scotland to England Green Link - SEGL1 (“the Project”). These onshore elements comprise of underground cables, a convertor station, substation and other associated development.
The CPO Order and CPO Plans have been published and are available to view in the ‘Documents’ section of this page below, along with the CPO Notice.
The CPO followed a series of negotiations where National Grid tried to meet voluntary agreements to ensure that the Project can be delivered to meet electricity demand, and an inquiry conducted by an Inspector.
Further detail on the compulsory purchase process can be found in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Guidance on Compulsory Purchase Process and The Crichel Down Rules (July 2019), which is available to view and download for free online at GOV.UK.
If you would like more information about the CPO, please contact National Grid’s appointed land agents Rebecca Appleyard ([email protected], 07823 521 449) or Ben Thomas ([email protected], 07788 368 634).
Core documents
A. Legislation
B. Guidance and Policy (International, National and Policy)
* Document 15a below is a downloaded copy of a document published on Durham County Council's website.
C. Planning permission and related planning application documents
D. Compulsory Purchase Order and related documents
E. Additional plans
F. Miscellaneous
G. Expert evidence
H. Inquiry documents
I. CPO Documentation, September 2024
FAQs
A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is a legal function that allows certain bodies such as government, councils, or utility companies, in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission, to obtain land or property without the consent of the owner.
National Grid Electricity Transmission has made a CPO to enable us to compulsorily acquire the land and rights necessary to build and operate our SEGL1 project.
To ensure we can deliver this essential project without delay, we have taken a comprehensive approach to seek a CPO the land rights necessary to construct and operate the English onshore elements of SEGL1, together with the land rights which we have already reached via voluntary agreements with landowners. We will continue to engage with all landowners to seek to reach voluntary agreements.
We need to acquire the rights to the land and rights necessary to construct and operate the English onshore elements of SEGL1.
We have made contact with relevant landowners and occupiers of the properties to discuss the required rights to deliver the project.
To ensure that we can deliver this essential infrastructure project without delay, we have taken a comprehensive approach to seek a CPO for the land and rights necessary to construct and operate the English onshore elements of SEGL1, together with the land rights which we have already reached via voluntary agreements with landowners.
This protects us in case unknown landowners arise and in cases where reaching a voluntary agreement is not possible.
We have contacted the owners and occupiers of the properties which are located the on land necessary to construct and operate the English onshore elements of SEGL1, to discuss the required rights to deliver the project.
We will continue to engage with affected owners and occupiers to seek the rights that we require via voluntary agreement where possible.
If you have any questions about the CPO, or if you have not already reached a voluntary agreement but would now like to do so, please email WSP at: [email protected].
Our CPO will be advertised and available to view in public locations for at least three weeks to allow time for those affected to review the documents and make objections to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, should they wish.
If the Secretary of State receives objections to our CPO, then the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will make written representations to National Grid Electricity Transmission or will arrange for a public inquiry. BEIS will be in touch with those who have made an objection, if they require any further information.
After either the public inquiry or the written representations, the Secretary of State will confirm (with or without modifications) or reject the CPO. This will be confirmed in writing.
If the Secretary of State confirms our CPO, we will contact all landowners and occupiers of properties which are located above the route of the cable, to inform them of the decision. We will also publicise the decision. We will then contact all affected properties again regarding our acquisition of the rights for the project.