National Grid shares updated plans for vital electricity upgrade between Weston Marsh and East Leicestershire

National Grid has published its refined proposals for Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire, a major electricity infrastructure project that will help strengthen the electricity network across Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. 

The project, if approved, would include approximately 60 km of new overhead line between Weston Marsh in Lincolnshire and near Wartnaby in Leicestershire, two new substations near Corby Glen and Wartnaby, and around 66 km of upgrades to the existing overhead line network.  

National Grid is now inviting feedback on updated proposals through an eight-week consultation, running from Tuesday 8 September to Tuesday 3 November 2026. 

Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire forms part of National Grid's The Great Grid Upgrade, the biggest investment in the electricity network in Britain for a generation. The project has been identified by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) as network reinforcement needed to support the country's future electricity needs.  

The existing network does not have the capacity required to transport the increasing volumes of electricity expected in the future. Demand for electricity is forecast to more than double by 2050 as more of the technologies people rely on every day, including transport, heating and industry, become powered by electricity. 

Upgrading the network now will help connect more home-grown energy and move it to where it is needed. It will also help strengthen energy security, support economic growth, create jobs and provide a more resilient electricity network for homes, businesses and public services across Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and beyond. 

Last year, the government announced the guidance for the Community Benefit Fund - £530,000 would be available per substation, and £200,000 per kilometre of overhead electricity line. We will continue to engage with communities and other stakeholders to understand the local priorities, as the project develops. 

Victoria Strickland, Project Director for Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire, commented: 

“The way we generate and use electricity is changing, and demand for electricity is expected to more than double by 2050. Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire is a vital project that will help ensure the electricity network is ready to meet future demand and connect more home-grown British energy for generations to come. 

“Where possible, we always look at upgrading existing lines, and this is what we will be doing for part of this project. But in order to be able to move electricity from generation sources, including the Lincolnshire coast, further west, we also need a new line between Weston Marsh in Lincolnshire and near Wartnaby in Leciestershire.  

“We would like to thank everyone who took part in our consultation last year. The feedback we received, alongside ongoing environmental surveys and technical assessments, has helped us refine and develop our proposals. We now look forward to hearing people’s views on our updated plans as part of this Stage 2 Consultation.” 

National Grid held a Stage 1 Consultation between June and August 2025, using local feedback, technical assessments and environmental studies to inform the design of the project. During the consultation, 842 people attended in-person consultation events, 47 people attended online events and 936 responses were received. 

Refinements to the proposals since Stage 1 Consultation include: 

• Aligning the proposed route closer to Surfleet, reducing visual effects on nearby homes. Making use of screening provided by existing woodland in the wider South Holland area.
• Other route refinements in South Holland to reduce effects on homes, views and local features, including avoiding a permitted residential development. 
• In South Kesteven, National Grid has selected a route that moves further away from Haconby, Dunsby and Stainfield.
• Progressing a route south of Corby Glen and presenting a more defined site boundary for the proposed WMEL-A substation. 
• Refining the proposed route south of Potter Hill, helping reduce impacts on local views and making use of existing woodland screening.
• Refining the route to help reduce potential impacts on Holwell Nature Reserve Complex and Holwell Mouth Site of Special Scientific Interest. 
• Including temporary access routes and work areas required to safely carry out upgrades to the existing overhead line network. 
• Continuing to refine the design and layout of the proposed WMEL-B substation. 

Feedback received during this consultation will help inform National Grid’s application for a Development Consent Order, which is expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in 2028. If the project is recommended by the Planning Inspectorate and approved by the Secretary of State, construction is expected to start in 2029, with the project becoming operational in 2033. 

Attend a public information event 

National Grid is holding a series of public information events across the project area. At each event, attendees can view the proposals, speak to members of the project team and read printed copies of consultation materials. Events are being held: 

Attend a webinar 

National Grid is holding two online webinar sessions where attendees can learn more about the proposals. Details of how to register are available on the project website. 

View the consultation materials 

Consultation materials will be available on the project website at nationalgrid.com/wmel from 8 September 2026. Printed copies will also be available at local information points throughout the consultation period. 

Members of the public can attend a series of in-person events and online webinars to speak with National Grid's team and learn more about the proposals. Paper copies of consultation materials are also available at local information points across the project area. 

All information about the consultation and how to provide feedback can be found on the project website, nationalgrid.com/wmel, from 8 September 2026. Feedback can be submitted online, by email, by freepost or using a printed feedback form. 

Providing feedback 

To learn more about the consultation and how to get involved, members of the public can: 

• visit the project website: nationalgrid.com/wmel 
• email: [email protected] 
• write to: Freepost WM TO EL 
• call: 0800 138 9191 

The deadline for feedback is 11:59pm on Tuesday 3 November 2026.