Chelmsford - Multiple Planning Applications

NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION PLC
NATIONAL GRID (NORWICH TO TILBURY) DEVELOPMENT CONSENT ORDER SECTIONS 91, 92, 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, a compulsory acquisition hearing, open floor hearing and issue specific hearings 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 509 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/EN020027-002890-2.1%20Location%20 and%20Master%20Key%20Plan_Revision%20B.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, of 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 decision-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 environmental mitigation.

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, 92, 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

Blended Hearings

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: https://nsip-documents.

planninginspectorate.gov.uk/published-documents/EN020027-002890-2.1%20Location%20 and%20Master%20Key%20Plan_Revision%20B.pdf

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 these locations:

*Please contact the venues in advance to confirm opening hours, any restrictions that may be in place and, if necessary, to arrange an appointment for computer access to view the documents electronically. The details of the opening hours above are correct at the time of this notice.