Purpose

The Norwich to Tilbury project is a major
electricity transmission upgrade proposed by National Grid as part
of The Great Grid Upgrade. It involves constructing a new 400kV
transmission line spanning approximately 180 kilometres from
Norwich to Tilbury, passing through Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex.
The route includes over 500 pylons supporting overhead lines;
around 21km of underground cables; and two new substations,
including the East Anglia Connection Node (EACN) which is proposed
to be located in northwestern corner of the Tendring
Peninsula.
National Grid has submitted a Development Consent Order (DCO)
application for the Norwich to Tilbury project. As part of the
acceptance stage, PINS has invited host authorities to comment on
whether the applicant has complied with its statutory
pre-application consultation duties under Sections 42, 47, and 48
of the Planning Act 2008.
Following a detailed review of the Consultation Report and
associated documentation, and in liaison with Essex County Council
(ECC), Officers have concluded that the applicant has met the
minimum statutory requirements.
However, the Council remains critical of the quality and
effectiveness of engagement with affected communities – and
this is highlighted in the proposed submission, which is attached.
Furthermore, TDC will continue to uphold its objections to the
scheme across multiple areas, as detailed in previous responses
including our response to the final statutory consultation.

Content

Submit an Adequacy of Consultation
Representation to the Planning Inspectorate, acknowledging that
National Grid has met the minimum statutory requirements regarding
pre-application consultation, while highlighting the
Council’s concerns regarding the quality and effectiveness of
engagement with affected communities.

Alternative options considered

1.Submit an Adequacy of Consultation
Representation to the Planning Inspectorate, acknowledging that
National Grid has met the minimum statutory requirements regarding
pre-application consultation, while highlighting the
Council’s concerns regarding the quality and effectiveness of
engagement with affected communities.
2.Submit a Representation asserting that National Grid has not
complied with the requirements set out in S42, S47, and S48 of the
Planning Act 2008.
Legal advice obtained by ECC indicates that the threshold for
meeting the requirements is modest, and that it would not be a
credible position to assert that National Grid has failed to meet
its minimum statutory obligations.
3.Do not submit a response.
This would reduce the Council’s ability to represent the
concerns of its residents who are most directly and significant
affected by the proposals.