National Grid invites feedback on new power connection

Nemo Link interconnector consultation details National Grid plans for a UK-Belgium electricity link via a new Richborough-Canterbury overhead line using low-height lattice pylons, minimizing environmental impact, ahead of autumn planning consent.

Recently, National Grid launched the latest and likely last consultation on its Richborough Connection proposals and revealed its detailed plans.

The consultation will run from February 2015 until the end of March and is likely to be the last chance people will have to help shape plans to join Nemo Link an electricity link between Belgium and the United Kingdom to the electricity transmission network and, as noted in National Grid investment updates, before National Grid applies for planning consent in the autumn.

A new electricity connection between Richborough and Canterbury is needed to do this and the plans involve building a new overhead line. Informed by feedback and extensive studies the proposals also recommend using a combination of standard and low height lattice pylons* see notes to editors for more information on pylon types, amid wider grid upgrades proposed nationally, designed to ensure the visual and environmental impact on the local area is minimized.

The proposed route has not significantly changed since the draft route was announced last May, reflecting transmission route options being explored elsewhere, and it still has the least environmental impact and allows for UK Power Networks’ existing line in the same area to be removed. It will also still run further away from homes in Hersden, Upstreet, Sarre and Gore Street than the UK Power Networks line. Additionally, it is now also further away from homes in Monkton and Minster than the two existing UK Power Networks lines including the one to be removed. The revised plans also propose to use low height lattice pylons in the Ash Levels, to minimize the impact on the local area and wildlife.

National Grid project manager Steve Self said: “In developing this route we continued our studies on the ground and listened to feedback from the local community. We’ve also considered a wide range of factors, often facing route planning hurdles in similar projects, including the environment, impact on local people and businesses, technical elements and cost.

“We believe the sensitively designed route and carefully selected pylon types we propose achieve the right balance between the effect of a new overhead line on the local area, when compared with power line property disputes seen in other regions, and the cost on everyone’s energy bills.”

He added: “Your feedback, on our proposals including route, pylon type and pylon locations, is really important to us and will help us shape our thinking before we apply for planning consent. However, this is likely to be your last chance to influence our proposals before we submit our application in the autumn, so please come and tell us what you think.”

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