New substation approval?

Plans for the power substation at Weston Marsh as part of the Power Networks upgrade look likely to be approved by South Holland District Council.
The application for an 84-hectare site will see the construction of a new access road and construction of a 400kV substation as part of the Great Grid Upgrade.
The site is north of Weston and north west of Moulton Seas End in flat, agricultural land.
Objections have been made from Weston Parish Council and Moulton Parish Council. Both suggest the site is inappropriate and would result in the loss of farmland. There are also concerns about the impact on wildlife and the extra traffic during construction.
The Environment Agency initially objected about issues including the impact on European eels and the flood risk. But the issues have now been resolved, says the planning application.
The county council also objects to the ‘adverse impacts of the development on the local community’ with the construction works.
“What is currently proposed will result in the local community experiencing a prolonged period of construction activity,” the report to members of South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee which is due to meet on Wednesday.
It also questions the need for the application given there’s enough time to make the proposed sub station operational by 2031 under the Grimsby to Walpole project.
South Holland and the Deepings MP Sir John Hayes has also objected.
There have been letters of support from the Outer Dowsing Wind Farm which will produce the electricity to be brought onshore via the sub station.
The wind farm will be one of the country’s largest and will generate power for more than 1.6m households in the UK.
The entire project has been contracted with the National Energy System Operator to connect by 2030 under an agreement which has been in place for three years.
“There are considered to be significant material considerations in this case that would substantially outweigh the harm identified, therefore the planning balance is for the proposal,” the report concludes.
The scheme is considered to be of national importance for energy infrastructure.