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.
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.
