The Norwich to Tilbury project is a major electricity transmission upgrade proposed by National Grid as part of The Great Grid Upgrade. It involves constructing a new 400kV transmission line spanning approximately 180 kilometres from Norwich to Tilbury, passing through Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. The route includes over 500 pylons supporting overhead lines; around 21km of underground cables; and two new substations, including the East Anglia Connection Node (EACN) which is proposed to be located in northwestern corner of the Tendring Peninsula.
National Grid has submitted a Development Consent Order (DCO) application for the Norwich to Tilbury project. As part of the acceptance stage, PINS has invited host authorities to comment on whether the applicant has complied with its statutory pre-application consultation duties under Sections 42, 47, and 48 of the Planning Act 2008.
Following a detailed review of the Consultation Report and associated documentation, and in liaison with Essex County Council (ECC), Officers have concluded that the applicant has met the minimum statutory requirements.
However, the Council remains critical of the quality and effectiveness of engagement with affected communities – and this is highlighted in the proposed submission, which is attached. Furthermore, TDC will continue to uphold its objections to the scheme across multiple areas, as detailed in previous responses including our response to the final statutory consultation.

Submit an Adequacy of Consultation Representation to the Planning Inspectorate, acknowledging that National Grid has met the minimum statutory requirements regarding pre-application consultation, while highlighting the Council’s concerns regarding the quality and effectiveness of engagement with affected communities.

1.Submit an Adequacy of Consultation Representation to the Planning Inspectorate, acknowledging that National Grid has met the minimum statutory requirements regarding pre-application consultation, while highlighting the Council’s concerns regarding the quality and effectiveness of engagement with affected communities.
2.Submit a Representation asserting that National Grid has not complied with the requirements set out in S42, S47, and S48 of the Planning Act 2008.
Legal advice obtained by ECC indicates that the threshold for meeting the requirements is modest, and that it would not be a credible position to assert that National Grid has failed to meet its minimum statutory obligations.
3.Do not submit a response.
This would reduce the Council’s ability to represent the concerns of its residents who are most directly and significant affected by the proposals.