Information for landowners
In developing our proposals for EGL 5, we need to understand who has a legal interest in the land in and around the areas being considered as part of the project. In the DCO process, anyone with a legal interest in land is known as a person with an interest in land (PIL). If you are identified as a PIL, we will contact you directly.
Whilst much of the information we need to confirm a legal interest is available on public registers, we have appointed land referencing firm Ardent to contact individual landowners to verify the publicly available information and ensure that we have made best efforts to identify any potentially impacted parties. Ardent will also assist with contacting landowners and occupiers to arrange access for surveys.
If you are a landowner and believe your property may be affected by our proposals, and want to talk to our lands team, please email [email protected] or call 0203 105 0989 or write to: EGL 5, Ardent, 31 Temple Street, Birmingham, B2 5DB. More information regarding National Grid’s land rights and payment schedules, can be found here.
Surveys
To understand more about the local environment, and to inform the project’s environmental impact assessment, we need to carry out surveys. Surveys will take place on land where we are proposing new infrastructure, some adjoining land and areas identified through consultation feedback as potentially sensitive.
The information we gather will be published as part of our application for development consent.
Our ongoing surveys
Archaeological Trial Trenching
Archaeological trial trench surveys help us understand whether there are any archaeological remains below ground.
These surveys will take place within and near to the full EGL 5 onshore project area.
A mechanical excavator is used to carefully remove the topsoil and dig narrow trenches. The working area for each trench is typically around 60 metres long and 10 metres wide. The trench itself can be up to 50 metres long and around 2 metres wide.
Trenches are typically between 0.4 and 0.7 metres deep. They may need to be deeper in some locations where there are additional layers of soil above any potential archaeological remains
Topsoil is removed first and kept separate from other soil. If archaeologists find anything of interest, such as pits, ditches or walls, they investigate these areas by hand and record what they find. Further investigation may be needed depending on what is found.
Once the survey is complete, the trenches are filled in using the excavated soil. The soil is replaced in the same order it was removed and compacted using the excavator.
The survey team will typically use a tracked excavator, which will be delivered to an agreed location. Other equipment will usually be transported in a 4x4 vehicle. Temporary welfare facilities for the survey team may also be located near the survey area. These are usually positioned close to the access from the public highway and may be placed on temporary ground protection matting.