We are carrying out several different types of surveys for Grimsby to Walpole. Please see the below for a table of surveys currently planned for the next six months, and the approximate locations where these will be carried out.
 

Some ecological and environmental surveys can only be carried out at specific times of the year. For example:

Breeding bird surveys are usually carried out between mid-March to July as they target key species and territories of birds.

Great crested newt surveys must be undertaken between 15 April – 30 June, to align with the breeding period of newts, when they are more likely to inhabit a pond.

UK Habitat Classification surveys can be undertaken all year round, however there are some habitats which have key seasonal constraints. Starting in April allows the surveyors to survey some key habitats e.g. hedgerows.

Ground level tree assessments for bats in April are required to inform the scope of potential further bat surveys over the summer months.

Water vole surveys are usually carried out between mid-April and September as this is when they are most active.

Geophysical surveys are best carried out in late Spring to early Summer as conditions underfoot should not be waterlogged and later in the summer crops have grown to an extent that they are at risk of damage by the survey equipment.

At this early stage, before we have a more detailed proposal, surveys are taking place within the emerging preferred route corridor and potential substation siting zones.

National Grid endeavours to reach voluntary agreement to access the land for surveys whenever possible. 

If agreement to access land for surveying cannot be reached voluntarily, Section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 authorises National Grid as an acquiring authority. It allows entry to survey land where there is a proposal to acquire an interest in or right over land. 

Allowing National Grid access to land does not stop the landowner making representations about the project at any time and allowing us access for surveys does not affect any rights to comment in any form. 

We’ve also notified local authorities where work is taking place. Although we don’t need planning permission for this work, we believe it’s right to notify the local authority.

If you are a landowner or occupier you should direct any further queries in relation to our proposals to Dalcour Maclaren, who are assisting National Grid on this project as our Land Agents, on 0333 034 7961 or by email at [email protected].

If you have received a letter from Dalcour Maclaren, the project’s appointed land agents, please respond directly to this letter. The letter may be requesting initial survey access and initial information regarding the ownership, occupation and use of your land. We also welcome you to provide feedback as part of this consultation – by completing a feedback form (which is available online), or by providing your written feedback.

For further information on National Grid’s approach to engaging with landowners and those with an interest in the land, please see our Landowner FAQs below. For further information about Grimsby to Walpole please visit our FAQs page.

We recognise the potential for land damage and disturbance that may be caused by carrying out surveys and site investigations. Our licence agreements include an advance payment of compensation to landowners or occupiers of land  in recognition of damage and disturbance that potentially may be caused by survey and investigation works. Further information is available in our Payments schedule for new electricity transmission assets and the Lands Right Strategy.

As we are in the early stages of developing our proposals, we need to carry out surveys and consultation to gain a full appreciation of how these works may impact affected landowners and their activities. We employ best practice when installing new overhead lines. You can read more about that in our Construction best practice for overhead line installation guidance document.