Tuesday 27 August 2024
Dear Parish Council,
Further to our correspondence in March earlier this year we wanted to provide an update regarding the next round of surveys, particularly Ground Investigation surveys.
As highlighted previously following the non-statutory consultation, our project team have been carefully considering all of the feedback received, before drawing up more detailed proposals that we will look to bring to consultations that are planned for next year. Also feeding into and informing that work will be further on-the-ground surveys, both environmental and design-related surveys. We have undertaken a significant number of non-intrusive and walkover surveys across the corridor since April 2024.
We will be commencing our non-intrusive (geophysical surveys and Top and GPR surveys) and intrusive surveys (ground investigation) located with the substation siting zones Grimsby West, LCS A, LCS B, Weston Marsh from the following dates:
Non-Intrusive surveys dates:
- Grimsby West – September
- LCS A – September
- LCB B – late August
- Weston Marsh - Later November / Early 2025
Intrusive surveys dates:
- Grimsby West – September
- LCS A – September
- LCB B – September
- Weston Marsh - late November / Early 2025
We are working with Landowners & Occupiers in these areas to understand when crops are being harvested and new crops are being drilled to mitigate any crop losses wherever possible. Our land agents are currently meeting with the landowners subject to intrusive surveys to discuss our proposals.
As you will be aware, in order to carry out these surveys, we need to obtain permission to access private land within the route corridor. It is very much hoped that we can agree access to land voluntarily, and we put a lot of effort in seeking to do so. To that end, we also understand the controversial nature of projects at an early stage like this and the reluctance of some landowners to agree.
Grimsby to Walpole is of national significance, being a key project to start to tackle this country’s net zero targets, energy security and energy affordability. We must therefore carry out work to inform and develop our proposals and do that with the right environmental information. Our land agents have been seeking to agree voluntary access and will continue to do so. Where that cannot be agreed, we need to use powers provided by relevant legislation.
We remain very hopeful that we will be able to reach voluntary agreements with landowners in time to carry out these surveys. The legislation we propose to use is under Section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act (2016). Where access is taken, the usual statutory compensation provisions will of course still apply.
These surveys are critical to help us better understand the local environment and potential effects of our work for informed decisions to be made on routeing and siting the project. We are keen to progress these to inform the continued development of more detailed proposals for future consultation, which will help reduce uncertainty for local communities. Findings of these surveys will be included with our eventual submission to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS).
Allowing National Grid access to land does not stop landowners making representations about the project at any time and allowing us access for surveys does not affect any rights to comment in any form.
If you would like any further information on this, or any other aspect of the project, then we would be more than happy to arrange a meeting at a time which is convenient for you. You can contact our Community Relations team at contact@g-w.nationalgrid.com or call our Freephone at 0800 0129 153 or visit our website www.nationalgrid.com/g-w for more information.
Yours sincerely,
Benjamin Muncey
Project Director, Grimsby to Walpole
National Grid Electricity Transmission
Email: contact@g-w.nationalgrid.com
Freephone information line: 0800 0129 153
Freepost: FREEPOST G TO W (please write in capitals, you do not need a stamp)