Frequently asked questions
Here you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire proposals.
We will continue to update these as the project progresses.
About Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire
Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire is a proposal to upgrade the high-voltage electricity transmission network in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
The project includes:
- a new 60 km overhead line running from Weston Marsh in Lincolnshire to near Wartnaby in Leicestershire
- two new substations: WMEL-A near Corby Glen in Lincolnshire and WMEL-B near Wartnaby in Leicestershire
- upgrades to around 66 km of existing overhead line between WMEL-B in Leicestershire and Grendon Substation in Northamptonshire.
This proposal will help us deliver more secure, cleaner, home-grown energy from more affordable sources to where it is needed.
You can find more details on 'Our Proposals' page.
Much of the electricity network in the East Midlands was built in the 1960s, when power was mainly generated by fossil fuel power stations and transported across the country.
Today, the way we generate and use electricity is changing. More electricity is being produced by offshore wind farms along the Lincolnshire coast, but the existing network was not designed to carry these growing amounts of clean, home-grown energy.
At the same time, demand for electricity is increasing as more people switch to electric vehicles, heat pumps and other low-carbon technologies. To keep pace with these changes, we need to strengthen the electricity network so it can continue to deliver reliable electricity to homes, schools, hospitals and businesses.
The Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire project will help increase the capacity and resilience of the network, enabling more secure, cleaner, home-grown electricity from more affordable sources to be transported across the region and to where it is needed. It will help ensure the network is ready to support future generations.
We know local communities have an important role to play in shaping these proposals. As well as supporting a reliable electricity supply, the project has the potential to bring investment, jobs and skills opportunities to the region, helping deliver benefits both locally and nationally.
We invest in projects such as new power lines and substations to keep the electricity network reliable and ready for the future. These investments are funded through an agreement with our energy regulator, Ofgem, with costs spread over many years to help reduce the impact on energy bills.
On your energy bill, you'll see a charge for Electricity Transmission. This helps pay for building, operating and maintaining the high-voltage electricity network across England and Wales. In 2025/26, this accounted for around £24 of the average annual household bill.
You can find out more about how energy bills are made up on Ofgem's website and National Grid's Your Bill Explained page.
We will continue to keep these webpages updated with information as our project develops. You can join our mailing list to receive the latest project updates directly to your inbox. Sign up here.
A Development Consent Order, or DCO, is a type of planning consent for major infrastructure projects. We will need to apply for a DCO to get permission to build and operate Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire. A DCO can also authorise the compulsory acquisition of land and rights over land where needed for the project.
Click here to watch a video to find out more about the DCO process.
Stage 2 Consultation
We have refined our early proposals. You can now see:
- proposed pylon locations
- more defined substation locations
- and upgrades to around 66 km of existing 400 kV overhead line between WMEL-B and Grendon.
We are also showing draft Order Limits (project boundary), access routes and working areas we may need during construction.
Every piece of feedback we receive will be carefully reviewed and considered as we continue to develop the project.
There are several ways to share your views:
- you can complete our online feedback form
- email us at [email protected]
- fill in a paper feedback form and return it to FREEPOST WM TO EL. No stamp or additional address details are needed.
If these options don't work for you, please get in touch with our team. We'll be happy to discuss alternative ways for you to share your feedback and take part in the consultation.
We’re keen to hear from as many people as possible, so whichever method works best for you, please take a few moments to share your thoughts. Your feedback will help shape the project as it evolves.
Please submit your feedback by 11:59pm on Tuesday 2 November 2026.
You can use our interactive map to explore the proposals in your area. Simply enter your postcode to view the updated route, indicative pylon locations and other project information near your property or land.
If you need any help using the map or would prefer information in another format, please get in touch with our team and we'll be happy to help.
We have made some changes to how our materials look and are presented for our Stage 2 Consultation.
These updates reflect changes introduced through the government's Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, which aims to create a more streamlined and proportionate approach to consultation for major infrastructure projects.
Although some consultation requirements have changed, we remain committed to engaging with local communities and stakeholders and sharing information in clear and accessible ways.
You can meet the project team at one of our public information events or join a webinar. Details are available on the 'Have Your Say' page.
We're holding a series of public information events across the local area, where you can learn more about the project, view maps and other information, and speak directly with members of the project team.
We'd be delighted to meet you and answer any questions you may have.
If you're unable to attend an event, you can still get in touch by calling 0800 138 9191, emailing [email protected], or writing to FREEPOST WM TO EL.
We're keen to hear from everyone with an interest in the project, so please contact us in whichever way works best for you.
If you need information in a different format, please get in touch with the project team and we'll be happy to help.
You can call us on 0800 138 9191, email [email protected], or write to FREEPOST WM TO EL.
We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to access information and share their views, so please get in touch if there's anything we can do to help.
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback on our early proposals during our Stage 1 Consultation. We have listened to what matters most to people and, where possible, used this feedback to help shape the proposals you can see today. Here's the feedback process so you can see how the system works:
- You share your feedback.
- We process and organise all feedback received.
- Each piece of feedback is carefully analysed.
- Where feedback identifies opportunities to improve the project or reduce impacts on people, communities and the environment, potential changes are considered as the design develops.
- Specialist teams including ecology, ornithology, engineering, hydrology, landscape, historical and land experts review your feedback.
- Changes that are feasible, and do not compromise the project’s technical, safety or regulatory requirements, will be incorporated into the final design where appropriate.
We encourage you to continue sharing your views as the project develops, as your feedback will help shape the next stage of our design work and our Development Consent Order application.
Once the consultation has closed, we will carefully review all the feedback we receive, alongside the results of our technical studies and environmental assessments. This information will help us further refine the proposals before we submit our plans to the Planning Inspectorate.
We currently expect to submit our Development Consent Order (DCO) application in 2028.
After the application is submitted, the Planning Inspectorate will examine the proposals and consider the information provided by National Grid, local authorities, stakeholders and members of the public. The Planning Inspectorate will then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, who will decide whether to grant consent for the project.
Your feedback plays an important role in this process and will help shape the proposals we take forward to the next stage.
Draft Order Limits show the proposed project boundary. This is the area of land that may be needed to build, operate and maintain the project.
It includes land for permanent infrastructure, temporary construction activities, access routes and other works needed to deliver the project.
The draft Order Limits are not final and will continue to be refined before the final design is submitted for DCO approval.
Proposed new overhead line
To develop the proposed alignment, we considered the feedback on our early proposals alongside the findings of further engineering, environmental and technical studies.
We started with a wider route corridor and then carried out more detailed assessments to identify the most suitable alignment. This included considering a range of factors, such as homes and communities, landscape and visual effects, wildlife and habitats, heritage features, farmland, roads and other infrastructure, as well as how the project could be constructed, operated and maintained safely.
We also reviewed comments from local residents, landowners, businesses, local authorities and other stakeholders. This feedback helped us better understand local priorities, concerns and opportunities, and informed the ongoing development of the proposals.
By combining this feedback with the results of our assessments, we have refined the wider corridor into the proposed alignment that we are now consulting on. We are continuing to seek feedback during our Stage 2 Consultation, and all responses will be carefully considered as we further develop and refine the proposals before submitting our Development Consent Order application.
Pylons support high-voltage overhead lines, the cables that carry electricity as alternating current across the country. They keep these lines safely elevated over roads, rivers, valleys and railway tracks.
Overhead lines can carry more electricity than underground or subsea cables using a single piece of infrastructure. For example, one line of pylons can transport around 6,930 megawatts (MW), while the largest underground high-voltage direct current (HVDC) system can carry up to 2,000 MW.
Pylon height varies depending on the landscape and local needs. In areas with visual or environmental sensitivities, we may use low-height pylons to help reduce the impact.
Planning policy also states that overhead lines should be the starting position when bringing forward new electricity network developments. Costs of new electricity infrastructure are ultimately passed onto billpayers, so we need to ensure that we are being economical and efficient in the transmission options we develop.
Angle pylons, also known as deviation pylons, help carry power lines around bends in their route. They have a distinctive design, with uneven arm lengths and wider bases for extra stability. These features help keep the power lines secure, especially where the route changes direction.
Following surveys, land preparation and enabling works, we would set up a working area around each new pylon location, lay foundations, assemble the pylon in sections and lift them into place by crane. The wires are then installed through a process known as stringing.
You can find out more about how we build pylons in this video.
Pylons are one of the best ways to transport power. They can carry larger volumes of power than underground cables and are more cost-effective and simpler to build and maintain.
For this project, our current proposals are based on standard lattice steel pylons. A typical 400 kV pylon is around 50 metres high, although the final height and type would be informed by technical and environmental assessments, local conditions and feedback.
There is no legal minimum distance that overhead lines must be from homes. However, when developing our proposals, we have tried to minimise impacts on people and properties wherever possible.
As part of our routing and design process, we have carefully considered homes, communities and other sensitive locations, and have aimed to maximise the distance between pylons and new overhead lines and nearby properties where practicable.
We continue to refine the proposals based on technical studies, environmental assessments and feedback from local communities. This consultation gives property owners the opportunity to share their views on the proposed pylon locations and contribute to the ongoing development of the design.
You can use our interactive map to see the proposals in more detail and understand how they may relate to your property or land.
Many people ask us whether the cables could be placed underground instead of being carried on pylons.
We have considered both overhead lines and underground cables. Government policy says that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption for new electricity network developments. This is because overhead lines are generally the most efficient and cost-effective way to transmit large amounts of electricity over long distances.
While undergrounding may be appropriate in some locations, it is not impact-free. It usually requires more complex engineering, greater construction activity and additional infrastructure. It is also significantly more expensive to build and maintain.
To deliver the same capacity as an overhead line, Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire would need at least three underground cables as well as three converter stations at each end. This would require a construction corridor between 40 and 120 metres wide, which would have greater impacts on farmland, habitats, roads and local communities during construction. Any future repairs would also require excavation works, which could cause further disruption.
The cost of building new electricity infrastructure is ultimately paid for by electricity consumers through their bills. We therefore need to ensure we develop solutions that are efficient, reliable and provide value for money.
In some locations, undergrounding may be appropriate where there are specific environmental or planning considerations. However, for most of this project, overhead lines remain the most practical way to transport the large amounts of electricity needed to support homes, businesses and public services now and in the future.
Not necessarily. While underground cables may reduce some visual effects, they can create different challenges for landowners and farmers during construction and in the long term.
Installing high-voltage underground cables requires a wide construction area, with space needed for cable trenches, access routes, construction traffic and equipment. This can affect larger areas of farmland during construction than an overhead line.
For farmers, an important consideration is protecting and restoring soil quality, drainage systems and the long-term productivity of the land. We work closely with landowners and agricultural specialists to minimise impacts and ensure land is reinstated appropriately after construction.
Underground cables can also place long-term restrictions on how the land above them is used, and any future repairs would require excavation works, which could cause further disruption.
Every project is different, but undergrounding is not always the option with the least impact on farming businesses or agricultural land. That's why we carefully consider the environmental, technical, social and agricultural impacts of all available options when developing our proposals.
Proposed new WMEL-A and WMEL-B substations
- WMEL-A is proposed near Corby Glen
- WMEL-B is proposed near Wartnaby, about 0.4 km south-west of Wartnaby and 0.6 km north of Saxelbye.
You can see these on our interactive map.
Our current proposals include two new substations:
- WMEL-A would cover an area of around 16 hectares
- WMEL-B would cover an area of around 12.6 hectares.
Most of the buildings and electrical equipment within the substations would be up to 12.5 metres high. Some structures used to connect overhead lines to the substation, known as gantries, would be taller at around 17 metres high.
As the design develops, we will continue to refine the layout of the substations and consider ways to reduce their effects on nearby communities and the surrounding landscape.
Once operational, both WMEL-A and WMEL-B substations would be accessed using new roads connecting to the local road network.
- at WMEL-A, the new permanent access road would connect the site to the A151 Station Road
- at WMEL-B, we are proposing a new 1 km road to the north to connect to Six Hills Lane.
Once the substations are operational, traffic levels are expected to be very low, with only occasional visits needed for maintenance and inspection.
You can see these proposed routes on our interactive map.
We understand that some people are concerned about how the proposed substations would look.
As the design develops, we will work closely with landscape and environmental specialists, local planning authorities and local communities to look for ways to reduce visual impacts. This will include considering the layout of each site, landscaping, screening, planting, and other measures to help the substations fit into the surrounding landscape as much as possible.
Upgrading the existing line
We are proposing two different types of upgrade because the circuits on each side of the overhead line are different.
On one side of the overhead line, we would replace the existing wires and pylon fittings. This includes parts such as insulators, which separate the wires from the pylon. The new wires can operate at higher temperatures and more efficiently. This type of work is sometimes called reconductoring.
On the other side, we would retain the existing wires and increase their operating temperature.
Together, these improvements would increase the amount of electricity the wires can carry without replacing them and help meet future electricity demand.
Some work may also be needed at existing pylons to make sure the upgraded line continues to keep a safe distance from the ground, buildings and other features. This could include small changes to fittings or other equipment. In a small number of locations, individual pylons may need to be replaced where this is necessary to support the upgraded line safely and reliably.
Local communities and the environment
The Government has published guidance on how new electricity transmission infrastructure projects like ours should deliver community funds.
We believe communities which host new electricity infrastructure should benefit from doing so. If Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire is granted planning consent, a dedicated Community Fund of around £13 million would be available to benefit local communities. We are interested in your views on how it should be spent.
Across the region, we will build partnerships and invest in skills and employment opportunities. We want to leave a positive socioeconomic legacy alongside reliable grid infrastructure.
To help us deliver community fund programmes that work for your area, we are keen to hear your views. We want to understand what is important to you, and where community benefit funds could deliver long-lasting benefits. This could include support for skills and training, improving green spaces, or investing in community facilities. We will develop our plans in partnership with residents, charity and community groups and elected representatives.
Tell us your views by filling out our survey.
Separate to this guidance, the Government has also announced plans for a bill discount scheme for nearby households. We will continue to work with Government as further details of this scheme emerge.
We know local roads, footpaths, cycle routes and community facilities are a valued part of everyday life.
While some temporary disruption may occur during construction, we are carefully assessing potential impacts and identifying opportunities to reduce them wherever possible.
We will work closely with local authorities and other stakeholders to help maintain access, manage construction traffic and keep communities informed well in advance of any changes.
We understand that people may be concerned about noise from new electricity infrastructure.
The proposed overhead line would use triple Araucaria conductors, which are the quietest conductor system used by National Grid. We follow established standards and guidelines designed to manage noise from overhead lines.
We have assessed the predicted noise levels from the proposed overhead line and compared them with relevant national standards and guidance. Based on the work carried out so far, we do not expect the overhead line to cause significant noise effects for nearby properties.
Substations can produce a low level of background noise when they are operating. We are carrying out detailed assessments to understand any potential effects and will continue to consider noise as the design develops. Where needed, mitigation measures will be incorporated into the design to help minimise impacts on nearby communities.
All noise assessments will form part of the project's Environmental Statement and will be included in the information submitted as part of the DCO application.
We understand that the local landscape is important to people. We have carefully designed our proposals to reduce visual impacts where we can.
Where possible, we have positioned pylons and the overhead lines away from homes and used existing landscape features, such as woodland, as a backdrop. We will continue to look for ways to reduce visual effects as the design develops.
We have considered farmland throughout the design process, recognising the vital role it plays in supporting local farming businesses and communities.
Some agricultural land would be needed permanently for the project, including for the proposed substations and small areas for pylon foundations (typically around 15 m x15 m). Additional land would be required temporarily during construction for access routes and working areas. We are carrying out detailed surveys to understand how this could affect soil quality, soil function, farm holdings and long-term farming use. This will allow potential impacts to be carefully assessed and minimised wherever possible.
After construction, most land required for the new overhead line, including the areas underneath pylons, would be returned to landowners and its previous use wherever possible.
Most farming activities would be able to continue beneath the overhead line. Where impacts cannot be avoided, compensation would be available. We will continue working closely with farmers and landowners to minimise disruption.
We are carrying out detailed surveys and studies to understand how the project could affect the local environment. We will carefully plan and manage construction activities to reduce disruption to local communities and the environment. This will include measures to manage traffic, noise, dust, water and ecological effects. We would also monitor these measures to make sure they are working effectively.
Once construction is complete, temporary working areas would be removed and the land reinstated. Any landscaping, habitat creation or environmental enhancement measures delivered as part of the project would be maintained and monitored to ensure their long-term success.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) means leaving nature in a better state than before a project is built.
For the Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire project, we are committed to delivering at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain. This means that any impacts on habitats will be balanced by creating, restoring or improving habitats so that there is an overall gain for nature.
Examples could include creating new wildlife habitats, improving existing habitats, planting trees and hedgerows, or enhancing areas for wildlife to thrive.
We are carrying out environmental surveys and assessments to understand local habitats and species, and these findings will help us identify opportunities to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain as the project develops.
Our aim is not only to minimise impacts on nature where possible, but also to leave a lasting positive environmental legacy for wildlife and local communities.
Electric and magnetic fields (often called EMFs) are created wherever electricity is used and transmitted.
Overhead power lines produce two types of fields:
- Electric fields, which are created by the voltage carried by the line.
- Magnetic fields, which are created when electrical current flows through the line.
We understand that people may have questions about the potential health effects of EMFs and take these concerns seriously. National Grid follows guidance from independent expert organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which regularly review the scientific evidence on EMFs and health.
The Government sets exposure guidelines based on advice from the UKHSA, and National Grid ensures that all its infrastructure complies with these limits.
A large amount of scientific research has been carried out around the world to investigate possible health effects from EMFs. Based on current scientific evidence, no health risks have been established from exposure below the guideline levels set by the Government.
If you would like to find out more, you can read National Grid's EMF information leaflet or contact the EMF Helpline on 0845 702 3270 or by email at [email protected].
Landowners and surveys
We are continuing to carry out surveys, including ecological, environmental, traffic, transport and public rights of way surveys.
You may see members of the team walking over land, using measuring equipment, or installing temporary survey equipment. Some surveys can only happen at certain times of year.
You can find out the latest surveys on our lands page.
We try to reach voluntary agreements to access land for surveys whenever possible.
If agreement to access land for surveying cannot be reached voluntarily, Section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 authorises National Grid as an acquiring authority. This means we can secure entry to survey land where there is a proposal to acquire an interest in or right over land. We have also notified local authorities where work is taking place. Although we do not need planning permission for this work, we believe it is right to notify the local authority.
If you are a landowner or occupier and think your land may be affected, please contact the Lands team at Savills. Email [email protected], call 0800 567 7600, or write to Freepost WMEL Land.
We understand that seeing survey activity may raise questions while the Project is still being developed. However, surveys taking place in an area do not mean that any decisions have been made about the final route or the location of infrastructure.
Surveys are an important part of the design process and help us understand local conditions and gather information to shape how we develop our plans.
The information gathered through these surveys, alongside engagement feedback and ongoing technical and environmental assessments, will help inform the Project's design. We will continue to refine our proposals before applying for development consent, and no final decisions on the route will be made until this work has been completed.
Survey work may also be carried out across a wider area to ensure that all potential options can be properly assessed and considered.
If you have any questions about land, access or property matters, please get in touch with the Lands team at Savills. They will be happy to help.
You can email [email protected], call 0800 567 7600, or write to FREEPOST WMEL Land.
We're committed to working closely with landowners and tenants throughout the project and ensuring you have the information and support you need.
About National Grid
National Grid sits at the heart of Britain’s energy system, connecting millions of people and businesses to the energy they use every day. We bring energy to life – in the heat, light and power we bring to our customer’s homes and businesses; in the way that we support our communities and help them to grow; and in the way we show up in the world. It's our vision to be at the heart of a more secure, cleaner and more affordable future.
We are working to build a secure, cleaner and more affordable energy system that serves everyone – powering the future of our homes, transport and industry. We believe by acting now, the UK can become the world’s first major clean economy, creating growth and jobs for communities across Britain.
National Grid is a group of companies, and one of those companies, National Grid Electricity Transmission, owns, builds and maintains the network in England and Wales. It is National Grid Electricity Transmission that is developing plans for Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire.
Within the National Grid Group there are other distinctly separate legal entities, each with their individual responsibilities and roles. More information about National Grid can be found on the ‘About us’ section of National Grid’s website.
National Grid Electricity Transmission, owns, maintains and operates the high voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales. This network operates primarily at 400,000 volts (400 kV) and 275 kV.
This is the biggest overhaul of the electricity transmission network in England and Wales for generations.
The electricity transmission system, made up of pylons, overhead lines and underground cables, was mostly built in the 1960s. It wasn’t designed to carry electricity from where it’s increasingly generated today – off the coast of Scotland and the East of England – to where it is needed.
Electricity demand in Britain is expected to at least double by 2050. That means we’ll need to move much more energy to homes, businesses and public services.
You can find out all about the projects in England and Wales, by visiting The Great Grid Upgrade.