Norwich, Development Consent Order Hearings
What is planned?
NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION PLC
NATIONAL GRID (NORWICH TO TILBURY) DEVELOPMENT CONSENT ORDER
SECTIONS 91, 93 & 94 PLANNING ACT 2008 (AS AMENDED) (“THE 2008 ACT”)
RULE 13 (6) OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING (EXAMINATION PROCEDURE) RULES 2010
NOTICE OF HEARINGS
PLANNING INSPECTORATE REFERENCE EN020027
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, at the dates, times and locations set out below, the preliminary meeting, three open floor hearings, a compulsory acquisition hearing and an issue specific hearing will be held by the Examining Authority (appointed by the Secretary of State) for the examination of the application for development consent made by National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC (“the Applicant”) for the National Grid (Norwich to Tilbury) Order (“the Application”).
Summary of the Project
Norwich to Tilbury (‘the Project’), is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (‘NSIP’).
The Project principally comprises:
a new 400 kilovolt (kV) electricity transmission connection of approximately 180 km overall length from Norwich Main Substation to Tilbury Substation via Bramford Substation, a new EACN Substation and a new Tilbury North Substation, including:
Approximately 159 km of new overhead line supported on approximately 520 pylons, either standard steel lattice pylons (approximately 50 m in height) or low height steel lattice pylons (approximately 40 m in height) and some of which would be gantries (typically up to 15 m in height) within proposed Cable Sealing End (CSE) compounds or existing or proposed substations
Approximately 21 km of 400 kV underground cabling, some of which would be located through the Dedham Vale National Landscape (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB))
Up to seven new CSE compounds (with permanent access) to connect the overhead lines to the underground cables
Modification works to connect into the existing Norwich Main Substation and a substation extension at the existing Bramford Substation
A new 400 kV substation on the Tendring Peninsula, referred to as the EACN Substation (with a new permanent access). This is proposed to be an Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) substation
A new 400 kV substation to the south of Orsett Golf Course in Essex, referred to as the Tilbury North Substation (with a new permanent access). This is proposed to be a Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation
Modifications to the existing National Grid Electricity Transmission overhead lines to facilitate the connection of the existing network into the new Tilbury North Substation to provide connection to the Tilbury Substation
Ancillary and/or temporary works associated with the construction of the Project.
In addition, third party utilities diversions and/or modifications would be required to facilitate the construction of the Project. There would also be land required for environmental mitigation and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
As well as the permanent infrastructure, land would also be required temporarily for construction activities including, for example, working areas for construction equipment and machinery, site offices, welfare, storage and temporary construction access.
A map showing the location of the Project can be viewed online at: https://nsip-documents.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/published-documents/EN020027-002040-2.1%20Location%20and%20Master%20Key%20Plan.pdf
Development consent is required to the extent that development is or forms part of a nationally significant infrastructure project pursuant to sections 14(1)(b) and 16 of the Planning Act 2008, as it forms the installation of an electric line above ground which will be wholly within England, at a nominal voltage greater than 132 kilovolts and longer than two kilometres. It is for this reason that the Project falls within the remit of the Secretary of State’s decisions making powers.
The Project would also make provision for Associated Development for the construction or maintenance of the NSIP including the diversion of utilities and public rights of way, provision for access, landscape works and other mitigation works.
The Development Consent Order would authorise the compulsory acquisition of land, interests in land and rights over land, and the powers to use land permanently and temporarily for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Project. The Development Consent Order would also authorise the construction of temporary and permanent accesses to the Project, the temporary closure and permanent stopping up or diversion of public rights of way, street works and highway works, and the application and disapplication of certain legislation.
The application was accepted for examination on 26 September 2025.
Hearings
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with Sections 91, 93 and 94 of the Planning Act 2008 and Rule 13(6) of the Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010 that hearings are due to be held by the Examining Authority for the Examination of the Application at the dates and times set out in the table below:
Hearing dates and locations
| Date/Time | Hearing | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 10 February 2026 Registration and seating at venue open from: 09:00 Virtual registration process begins at: 09:00 Hearing starts: 10:00 | Preliminary Meeting | Sir Bobby Robson Suite at Ipswich Town Football Club, Portman Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DA and virtually by Microsoft Teams. |
| Tuesday 10 February 2026 Registration and seating at venue open from: 15:00 Virtual registration process begins at: 15:00 Hearing starts: 16:00 | Open Floor Hearing 1 (OFH1) Suffolk | Sir Bobby Robson Suite at Ipswich Town Football Club, Portman Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DA and virtually by Microsoft Teams. |
| Wednesday 11 February 2026 Registration and seating at venue open from: 09:00 Virtual registration process begins at: 09:00 Hearing starts: 10:00 | Continuation of Open Floor Hearing 1 (OFH1) Suffolk | Sir Bobby Robson Suite at Ipswich Town Football Club, Portman Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DA and virtually by Microsoft Teams. |
| Wednesday 11 February 2026 Registration and seating at venue open from: 13:00 Virtual registration process begins at: 13:00 Hearing starts: 14:00 | Compulsory acquisition hearing (CAH1) on the applicant’s strategic case | Sir Bobby Robson Suite at Ipswich Town Football Club, Portman Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DA and virtually by Microsoft Teams. |
| Date/Time | Hearing | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 12 February 2026 Registration and seating at venue open from: 09:00 Virtual registration process begins at: 09:00 Hearing starts: 10:00 | Open Floor Hearing 2 (OFH2) Essex | The Gold Room, Orsett Hall, Prince Charles Avenue, Orsett, Essex, RM16 3HS and virtually by Microsoft Teams. |
| Thursday 12 February 2026 Registration and seating at venue open from: 10:00 Virtual registration process begins at: 10:00 Hearing starts: 11:00 | Open Floor Hearing 3 (OFH3) Norfolk | The Auditorium, The Space, Roundtree Way, Norwich, NR7 8SQ and virtually by Microsoft Teams. |
| Friday 13 February 2026 Registration and seating at venue open from: 09:00 Virtual registration process begins at: 09:00 Hearing starts: 10:00 | Issue Specific Hearing 1 (ISH1) on the scope of development and alternatives | The Gold Room, Orsett Hall, Prince Charles Avenue, Orsett, Essex, RM16 3HS and virtually by Microsoft Teams. |
All initial hearings will be “blended hearings”, which means that interested persons have the option to attend and participate in person or virtually through Microsoft Teams.
Those wishing to participate virtually or in person will need to register in advance with the Planning Inspectorate. If you wish to attend in person and observe you will still need to register in advance with the Planning Inspectorate. A virtual option to observe will also be available through the Planning Inspectorate website for members of the public.
Those attending virtually will need to enter the virtual lobby 30 minutes before the scheduled time for the hearing to start to register. Full instructions on how to join online or by telephone will be provided in advance to those who have pre-registered.
Copies of the Application
The Application can be viewed on the National Grid (Norwich to Tilbury) page of the Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website under the Documents tab:
?? https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN020027
A map showing the location of the Project can be viewed online at:
The Application can also be viewed electronically, at the locations listed in the table below. Please note that you will need to bring a form of identification and register as a library member in order to use a computer at the locations listed.
Viewing Locations and Opening Times
| Location | Opening Times |
|---|---|
| Long Stratton Library, The Street, Long Stratton, NR15 2XJ | Monday – 11am–7pm staffed Tuesday – 1pm–7pm staffed Wednesday – 8am–7pm unstaffed Thursday – 1pm–7pm staffed Friday – 8am–7pm unstaffed Saturday – 11am–4pm staffed Sunday – 10am–4pm unstaffed |
| Norwich Library, Unit 3 The Forum, Millenium Plain, Norwich, NR2 1AW | Monday to Friday – 8am–10am – Open Library access to first floor only. 10am–7pm – Library is staffed Saturday – 9am–5pm – Library is staffed Sunday – 10.30am–4.30pm – Open Library access to first floor only |
| Tuckswood Library, Robin Hood Road, Eaton, NR4 6BX | Monday – 8am–7pm Open Library access Tuesday – 8am–11am Open Library access 11am–7pm staffed Wednesday – 8am–7pm Open Library unstaffed Thursday – 8am–7pm Open Library unstaffed Friday – 8am–11am Open Library access 11am–7pm staffed Saturday – 8am–10am Open Library access 10am–4pm staffed Sunday – 10am–4pm Open Library unstaffed |
| Diss Library, Church Street, Diss, IP22 4DD | Monday – 8am–10am – Open Library access 10am–7pm – Library is staffed Tuesday – 8am–7pm – Open Library access Wednesday – 8am–10am – Open Library access 10am–7pm – Library is staffed Thursday – 8am–10am – Open Library access 10am–7pm – Library is staffed Friday – 8am–10am – Open Library access 10am–7pm – Library is staffed Saturday – 10am–4pm – Library is staffed Sunday – 10am–4pm – Open Library access |
| Stowmarket Library, Milton Road, Stowmarket, IP14 1EX | Monday – Closed Tuesday – 8.30am–6.45pm Wednesday – 8.30am–4.45pm Thursday – 8.30am–5.45pm Friday – 8.30am–6.30pm Saturday – 8.30am–4pm Sunday – 10am–4pm |
| Capel St Mary Library, Village Hall, The Street, Capel St Mary, IP9 2EF | Monday – Closed Tuesday – 9am–12.30pm, 2pm–5.30pm Wednesday – 9am – 12:30pm Thursday – 9am – 12:30pm Friday – 2pm–5.30pm Saturday – 9am–3pm Sunday – 10am–3pm |
| Location | Opening Times |
|---|---|
| Writtle Library, 45 The Green, Writtle, Chelmsford, CM1 3DT | Monday – 9am – 5pm Tuesday – 9am – 1pm Wednesday – 9am – 1pm Thursday – 2pm – 5:30pm Friday – 9am – 5pm Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – Closed |
| Chelmsford Library, County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH | Monday – 9am – 5:30pm Tuesday – 9am – 5:30pm Wednesday – 9am – 5:30pm Thursday – 9am – 7pm Friday – 9am – 5:30pm Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – 10:30am – 1:30pm |
| Ingatestone Library, High Street, Ingatestone, CM4 9EU | Monday – 2pm – 7pm Tuesday – Closed Wednesday – 9am – 1pm Thursday – Closed Friday – Closed Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – Closed |
| Tilbury Library, Tilbury Hub, Civic Square, Tilbury, RM18 8AD | Monday – 10am – 5pm Tuesday – 10am – 7pm Wednesday – 10am – 5pm Thursday – 10am – 7pm Friday – 10am – 5pm Saturday – 10am – 1pm Sunday – Closed |
| Greenstead Library, Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, CO4 3QE | Monday – 9am – 5:30pm Tuesday – 9am – 5:30pm Wednesday – Closed Thursday – 9am – 5:30pm Friday – Closed Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – Closed |
| Prettygate Library, Prettygate Road, Colchester, CO3 4EQ | Monday – Closed Tuesday – 9am – 7pm Wednesday – 9am – 5:30pm Thursday – Closed Friday – 9am – 5:30pm Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – Closed |
| Stanway Library, 10 Villa Road, Stanway, CO3 0RH | Monday – Closed Tuesday – 2pm – 7pm Wednesday – Closed Thursday – 9am – 1pm Friday – Closed Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – Closed |
| Wivenhoe Library, 104/6 High Street, Wivenhoe, CO7 9AB | Monday – Closed Tuesday – 9am – 7pm Wednesday – Closed Thursday – 9am – 5:30pm Friday – Closed Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – Closed |
| Brentwood Council, Town Hall, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, CM15 8AY | Monday – 9am – 5:30pm Tuesday – 9am – 7pm Wednesday – 9am – 5:30pm Thursday – 9am – 5:30pm Friday – 9am – 5:30pm Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – Closed |
| Manningtree Library, High Street, Manningtree, CO11 1AD | Monday – Closed Tuesday – 5:30pm Wednesday – 9am – 1pm Thursday – 1pm – 7pm Friday – 9am – 1pm Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – Closed |
| Basildon Library, The Basildon Centre, St Martin’s Square, Basildon, SS14 1EE | Monday – 9am – 5pm Tuesday – 9am – 5pm Wednesday – 9am – 5pm Thursday – 9am – 5pm Friday – 9am – 5pm Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – Closed |
| Witham Library, 18 Newland Street, Witham, CM8 2AQ | Monday – 9am – 5:30pm Tuesday – 9am – 5:30pm Wednesday – 9am – 7pm Thursday – 9am – 5:30pm Friday – 9am – 5:30pm Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – Closed |
| Brentwood Library, New Road, Brentwood, CM14 4BP | Monday – 9am – 5:30pm Tuesday – 9am – 5:30pm Wednesday – 9am – 5:30pm Thursday – 9am – 5:30pm Friday – 9am – 5:30pm Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – Closed |
| Ipswich Library, Northgate Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3DE | Monday – 9am – 6pm Tuesday – 9am – 7pm Wednesday – 9am – 6pm Thursday – 9am – 6pm Friday – 9am – 6pm Saturday – 8:30am – 5pm Sunday – 10am – 4pm |
| Hatfield Peverel Library, The Street, Hatfield Peverel, Chelmsford, CM3 2DP | Monday – Closed Tuesday – 2pm – 7pm Wednesday – 9am – 1pm Thursday – Closed Friday – Closed Saturday – 9am – 5pm Sunday – Closed |
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