Compulsory Purchase Order landowner information

On 12 January 2023, National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc (“National Grid”) made The 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 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. A copy of the notice confirming the making of the CPO was served on all those with an interest in the land included in the CPO and was published in a local newspaper.

A copy of the CPO, the maps that show the land included in the CPO and the Statement of Reasons, which explains why the CPO has been made and the documents referred to in it, are available to view and download below.

The CPO has been submitted to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. A number of objections were made to the CPO and a public inquiry is due to commence on 26 September at 10am at the Glebe Centre, Durham Place, Murton, Seaham SR7 9BX. It is anticipated to run for 5 days, excluding weekend days.

At the inquiry an Inspector will hear evidence from National Grid and any remaining objectors before making a recommendation to the Secretary of State about whether the CPO should be confirmed. If confirmed, National Grid will have powers available to it to compulsorily acquire the land and rights needed for the Project.

National Grid’s Statement of Case and the Core Documents that will be relied upon at the inquiry are available to view below.

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’d like more information about the CPO, please contact National Grid’s appointed land agentDerek Tyson on 01845 522095 or by email at [email protected].

Core documents

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.

Name Sort descending
1. National Planning Policy Framework (revised July 2021)
10. Energy White Paper (December 2020)
11. UK Government: Land Rights and Consents for Electricity Network Infrastructure Call for Evidence dated 4 August 2022
12. UK Government: Consultation on Strategy and Policy Statement for Energy Policy in Great Britain (2021)
13. Committee on Climate Change: Net Zero – The UK’s Contribution to Stopping Global Warming (May 2019)
14. UK Government: Net Zero Strategy – Build Back Greener, 2021
15. County Durham Plan (adopted 2020)
15a. County Durham Plan (adopted 2020) – related Neighbourhood Plans*
16. Minerals Local Plan (adopted December 2020)
17. County Durham Waste Local Plan (adopted April 2005)
18. Easington District Council Local Plan
18a. Easington District Council Local Plan Proposals Maps
19. Electricity Network Strategy Group (ENSG): Our Electricity Transmission Network – a vision for 2020 (2009)
2. National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) (July 2011)
3. National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5) (July 2011)
4. Draft replacement of the National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1)
5. Draft replacement of the National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5)
6. Dept for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities Guidance on Compulsory Purchase process and The Crichel Down Rules (July 2019)
7. UK Government: British Energy Security Strategy (April 2022)
8. UK Government: Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution (November 2020)

FAQs

What is a Compulsory Purchase Order?

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.

Why has a CPO been issued by National Grid?

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.

What do you need the rights for?

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.

I have already entered a voluntary agreement with National Grid Electricity Transmission?

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.

Will I be affected by this CPO?

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.

Who can I talk to if I have any further questions about the CPO?

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].

What will happen next?

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.