Comment

Representation ID: 22635

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: National Grid

Agent: Avison Young

Black Country Plan Consultation
August – October 2021
Representations on behalf of National Grid



National Grid has appointed Avison Young to review and respond to local planning authority
Development Plan Document consultations on its behalf. We are instructed by our client to
submit the following representation with regard to the current consultation on the above
document.



About National Grid
National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (NGET) owns and maintains the electricity transmission
system in England and Wales. The energy is then distributed to the electricity distribution
network operators, so it can reach homes and businesses.



National Grid Gas plc (NGG) owns and operates the high-pressure gas transmission system
across the UK. In the UK, gas leaves the transmission system and enters the UK’s four gas
distribution networks where pressure is reduced for public use.



National Grid Ventures (NGV) is separate from National Grid’s core regulated businesses. NGV
develop, operate and invest in energy projects, technologies, and partnerships to help accelerate
the development of a clean energy future for consumers across the UK, Europe and the United
States.



National Electricity Transmission System
Specific development proposals within your local planning authority area are unlikely to have a
significant direct effect upon National Grid’s electricity transmission system. Generally,
improvements to the system to provide supplies to the local distribution network are as a result
of overall regional demand growth rather than site specific developments.



Electricity Distribution System
National Grid does not distribute electricity to individual sites and premises directly. It is the role
of local distribution companies to distribute electricity to homes and businesses. The website
below includes a map showing the areas that the local distribution network operators are
responsible for and provides links to their websites:
http://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/electricity-distribution-map.html
The local distribution network operator is responsible for operating the local electricity
distribution network which supplies electricity from the national electricity transmission system
direct to sites and premises. If new infrastructure is required in response to an increase in
demand across the local electricity distribution network the operator may request
improvements to an existing National Grid substation or a new grid supply point.



National Gas Transmission System
National Grid owns and operates the high-pressure gas transmission system in England,
Scotland and Wales. This consists of around 4,300 miles of pipelines and 26 compressor stations
connecting to the distribution networks.



New gas transmission infrastructure developments (for example pipelines and associated
installations) are periodically required to meet increases in regional demand and changes in
patterns of supply. Developments to the network occur as a result of specific connection
requests, for example power stations, and requests for additional capacity on the network from
gas shippers.



Gas Distribution Networks
In the UK, gas leaves the transmission system and enters the distribution networks at high
pressure. It is then transported through a number of reducing pressure tiers until it is finally
delivered to sites and premises. The website below includes a map showing the distribution
networks and their regions:



http://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/gas-distribution-map.html

A plan showing details of the site locations and details of National Grid’s assets is attached
to this letter. Please note that this plan is illustrative only.



Please also see attached information outlining further guidance on development close to
National Grid assets.



Further Advice
National Grid is happy to provide advice and guidance to the Council concerning their networks.
Please see attached information outlining further guidance on development close to National
Grid Infrastructure.



If we can be of any assistance to you in providing informal comments in confidence during your
policy development, please do not hesitate to contact us.



To help ensure the continued safe operation of existing sites and equipment and to facilitate
future infrastructure investment, National Grid wishes to be involved in the preparation,
alteration and review of plans and strategies which may affect their assets. Please remember to
consult National Grid on any Development Plan Document (DPD) or site-specific proposals that
could affect National Grid’s infrastructure.

Guidance on development near National Grid assets
National Grid is able to provide advice and guidance to the Council concerning their networks
and encourages high quality and well-planned development in the vicinity of its assets.



Electricity assets
Developers of sites crossed or in close proximity to National Grid assets should be aware that it
is National Grid policy to retain existing overhead lines in-situ, though it recognises that there
may be exceptional circumstances that would justify the request where, for example, the
proposal is of regional or national importance.



National Grid’s ‘Guidelines for Development near pylons and high voltage overhead power lines’
promote the successful development of sites crossed by existing overhead lines and the creation
of well-designed places. The guidelines demonstrate that a creative design approach can
minimise the impact of overhead lines whilst promoting a quality environment. The guidelines
can be downloaded here: https://www.nationalgridet.com/document/130626/download



The statutory safety clearances between overhead lines, the ground, and built structures must
not be infringed. Where changes are proposed to ground levels beneath an existing line then it is
important that changes in ground levels do not result in safety clearances being infringed.
National Grid can, on request, provide to developers detailed line profile drawings that detail the
height of conductors, above ordnance datum, at a specific site.



National Grid’s statutory safety clearances are detailed in their ‘Guidelines when working near
National Grid Electricity Transmission assets’, which can be downloaded
here:www.nationalgridet.com/network-and-assets/working-near-our-assets



Gas assets
High-Pressure Gas Pipelines form an essential part of the national gas transmission system and
National Grid’s approach is always to seek to leave their existing transmission pipelines in situ.
Contact should be made with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in respect of sites affected by
High-Pressure Gas Pipelines.



National Grid have land rights for each asset which prevents the erection of permanent/
temporary buildings, or structures, changes to existing ground levels, storage of materials etc.
Additionally, written permission will be required before any works commence within the
National Grid’s 12.2m building proximity distance, and a deed of consent is required for any
crossing of the easement.

National Grid’s ‘Guidelines when working near National Grid Gas assets’ can be downloaded here:
www.nationalgridgas.com/land-and-assets/working-near-our-assets