An electricity substation, developers say is needed by 2028 to keep the power on in Holbeach and Long Sutton, has been given the go ahead.
National Grid Electricity Distribution says it will now buy the lane west of Branches Lane, Fleet, for the structure which will include two transformers, a switchboard and switchroom building.
The matter came before South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee at the request of ward councillor Paul Barnes who argued it shouldn’t be in open countryside.
However planning officer Mark Niland said the ‘significant benefits’ would outweigh the harm to the location.
“A countryside location is functionally and operationally essential infrastructure for this type of having regard to, safety, isolation and network connectivity,” he told Wednesday night’s meeting. “The design of the proposal will largely mirror that of a rural agricultural barn which is a common feature throughout the district and visually appropriate.
“The proposal will deliver critical infrastructure necessary to deliver sustainable growth for Holbeach and the surrounding area,”
The officer’s report recommending the application be granted states: “In 2028, transformers at Holbeach and Long Sutton substations could become overloaded if nearby equipment fails or is taken offline for maintenance and low voltage issues may affect areas fed by South Holland.
“By 2034 further overloads predicted on circuits and transformers at Holbeach, Long Sutton and, Park Road especially, in Spalding could strain the system and impact power reliability.”
It would be connected by underground cables, the meeting was told.
Some councillors questioned if more ‘screening was needed’ but Coun Barnes was the only one to vote against the proposals.
“There seems to be a big involvement from SHDC strategic planning, so should it not have come straight to committee?” he said. “I understand the need for a substation, but I don’t understand why it’s in the countryside in Fleet.
“There are lots of mentions of looking at other sites but none of where they were.”
Coun Henry Bingham said: “I welcome we’re going to get an update to the electric grid South Holland has been having to live with since 1970.
“It means we can have the lights continually on and we don’t have to start rationing them. It’s not one of those substations that’s going over our heads to benefit elsewhere; it’s for the benefit of South Holland.”
