Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: March 11, 2025

Purpose: To seek authority to agree Heads of terms with National Grid Electricity Transmission for the acquisition of land at Iver on which to site an electrical substation.

Content:   National Grid Electrical Transmission (NGET) had identified the site as a location which would best fill its requirement to construct an electrical substation to provide much needed increased power capacity in the region.   A resolution to grant Planning consent PL/24/0449/FA was made in February 2025 subject to a regular period for call in and legal challenge.  If agreement to allow NGET to acquire the land was not reached with NGET, NGET were clear they would use their statutory powers and acquire the site by means of a Compulsory Purchase Order. To avoid the site being acquired by Compulsory Purchase thereby negating the possibility of maximising value to the Council, officers recommended reaching a negotiated settlement. The proposed development would provide for an identified need for a new substation. The applicant, National Grid, had advised that it had several signed customer connection agreements associated primarily with data centres and an independent distribution network operator in the area to the west of Greater London.   The Local Planning Authority concluded that the harm to the Green Belt and the other harm, was clearly outweighed by other considerations in this case. Consequently, it had been considered that the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development exist in this case, and the material considerations identified would outweigh the proposals conflict with the Development Plan. The proposed development would also result in economic benefits that would arise because of developments that would obtain power from the proposed substations.     RESOLVED that authority be given to the Service Director Commercial Property & Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Accessible Housing and Resources to:   ·       Finalise the emerging Heads of Terms attached in the confidential appendices for National Grid Electricity Transmission to acquire Council owned land at Iver on which to construct and operate a new Electrical Substation adjacent to National Grid Electrical Transmissions’ existing electrical facility.   ·       Subject to finalising the emerging Heads of Terms and to planning, to accept National Grids offer set out in the confidential appendices, prepare contracts, exchange and complete on the transaction.   ·       Negotiate and agree terms to serve notices on tenants to obtain vacant possession in so far as they are required to facilitate this transaction.   ·       Enter into necessary revised easement / licence agreements and wayleaves with SSE group, National Grid Electricity Transmission, Affinity Water and BT for the relocation of their infrastructure on the subject land surrounding Council owned land as a direct consequence of this scheme.