Pylons Update
Aldham is probably the worst affected village by the new proposed National Grid Pylon route between Norwich and Tilbury and we are working hard to fight this on behalf of all residents.
November 2025 Update
Crunch time – please comment on the Pylon Proposals
The Development Consent Order (DCO) process replaces normal planning application rules for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. The process is very time constrained with set time limits for each stage of the process. This is aimed at preventing those opposed to a scheme deploying delaying tactics.
The DCO process began for Norwich to Tilbury when National Grid submitted their application on 29 August 2025 and it was deemed acceptable for Examination by the Planning Inspectorate on 26 September 2025.
The process will now be controlled by the Planning Inspectorate (PI). The 428 documents submitted by National Grid for Examination are now on the Planning Inspectorate website here Norwich to Tilbury - Project information
- 360 application documents from NGET
- 35 Adequacy of consultation comments
- 4 Procedural decisions
- 22 additional Submissions
- 7 Events
- Plus a range of guidance material
The PI will examine what National Grid have submitted but they will only hear your views if you make them know to them. And to make your comments you must first Register and submit a Relevant Representation.
The all important deadline for registration is 23:59 on 27 November 2025.
By registering as an Interested Party, this will allow you to make comments now and to take part in the Examination Phase if required. Registration is easiest online and requires a combination of contact details and a Relevant Representation. You must use their registration form. Register to have your say about a national infrastructure project here National Infrastructure Planning
All Aldham Residents are encouraged to register. Remember, you have told National Grid what you think before, not the Planning Inspectorate. So you should reuse the points you have made before to make your Relevant Representation
There is guidance on what to include in you Relevant Representation and some key Do's and Don’ts are:
- State if you support, object or are commenting
- Be clear concise and logical – using numbered paragraphs will help
- Outline the impacts and harms as you see them
- Summarise everything you have said before.
- State your support for Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons
"I support the Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons action group. Consultation has been legally deficient since 2022. No alternatives have been presented and we have not been listened to by National Grid."
But
- Do not be defamatory
- Do not include personal details, names etc.
Remember somebody will have to read all this so make sure your points are acceptable and easy to read.
Comments must be about what you consider to be the main issues and impacts. You should include as much detail as possible and cover anything that may affect your day-to-day life. Some areas to cover if you need inspiration are below.
Aldham Parish Council will be registering and making a Relevant Representation but please play you part now – if you do not register you will not be able to comment again.
Thank you for your support.
Possible points to raise.
Focus on the harm caused by the project to:
Proximity to houses or businesses
- Describe any harms that are going to affect you.
Heritage
- Describe the harm cause to historic assets like listed buildings.
Environment, habitat, species
- Describe the harm caused by the project. Do you see geese & swans fly across the route? Do you see bats? Are there any ancient trees or hedgerows at risk?
Landscape
- Describe features that make the landscape special. Describe the harm caused by N2T.
Public Rights of Way
-
Describe the harm to PROWs', especially when they are well used e.g. Essex Way.
Breaches of Holford Rules (where overhead powerlines should be sited)
Roads and access
- Describe any road access issues
Archaeology
- Describe the harm caused by the project.
Consultation deficiencies
- Set out all the flaws of the consultation process
- Which points you have raised previously that have been ignored by NG
- Difficulties for you regarding attending drop-in events
- Lack of awareness of consultation
- Being unable to understand the proposals
September 2025 Update
For projects deemed to be Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (major roads, railways, airports or large energy transmission schemes) normal planning procedures are replaced with the Development Consent Order Process (DCO). This means the final decision is made by a Secretary of State. The DCO process also has a rigid timeline to prevent any delaying tactics from those opposed to the proposals.
Norwich to Tilbury is covered by the DCO rules and on 29th August National Grid submitted their application to the central Government Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate now have 28 days to decide if there is adequate information in the application to move to the formal pre-examination stage. Aldham Parish Council will submit evidence and representations on behalf of the village once the pre-examination stage formally starts. The arguments against pylons and the alternatives to support a move to green energy are all still relevant and will be presented to the Inspector at the hearings.
Development Consent Order Process - an overview
Stage 1: Pre-application (now complete)
Can take a number of years where a developer will design the proposed scheme. During this phase there will be both walk over and intrusive surveys that will inform design as well as statutory and/or non-statutory consultations, e.g. with relevant statutory bodies and local authorities as well as local communities. Any affected persons, i.e. those subject to compulsory acquisition, will be notified at this stage. This is the best time for members to be engaging with the developer to influence scheme design. There is likely to be far less scope for change as the design develops.
Stage 2: Pre-examination (started on 29th August 2025)
Once a developer submits an application, the Planning Inspectorate has 28 days to confirm that they have sufficient information to accept the application for examination. When the application is accepted for examination, this marks the start of the pre-examination stage. If refused, there is a 6 week window for the Applicant to raise a legal challenge
During the Pre-Examination Stage, the public and organisations can register as an Interested Party to be able to make representations throughout the examination. The timeframe for registering as an Interested Party will be set by the Applicant but must be no less than 28 days. The pre-examination stage takes approximately three months and will involve a preliminary meeting whereby a timetable will be set for examination.
Stage 3: Examination
The examination phase lasts up to 6 months. During this period, those that have registered can participate through written representations and by attending hearings. A panel of three examiners will consider any representations made and set follow up questions if necessary. Within three months of the close of the examination the examiners will prepare a report including a recommendation for the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State then has a further three months to make the final decision on whether or not to grant consent. Therefore, the examination and decision phase can be expected to take approximately 12 months
Stage 4: Post Consent
Once the decision has been made by the Secretary of State, there is a 6 week period in which the Applicant and /or Interested Parties can raise a legal challenge in the High Court (Judicial Review).
Following the 6-week period (subject to any legal challenge etc.), the project will move into the construction phase where land or rights will be acquired from Landowners and the project will be constructed.
We will continue to fight this with the help from the East Anglian Pylon Group (pylonseastanglia.co.uk) who have published a great summary explaining the latest updates and how you can help them stop our village looking like the image below.
