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Resilience of Overhead Power Line Networks Consultation

The 2006 Energy Review underlined that an important factor in the reliability of our energy supplies is the resilience of the electricity networks.  As a consequence Government had reviewed the overhead lines regime and believed a better balance could be struck between changes for which the full consent process is required and changes where a more flexible approach can be adopted.   The Government promised to consult on proposals for new guidance on the consenting arrangements for overhead power lines later in 2006.

The key elements of the proposals to update the existing regime are:

• to extend what may be carried out under existing section 37 consents by accepting the inclusion of "design successors", such as insulated conductor systems, provided they are introduced genuinely to improve resilience and are not a significant change to what is there already
• to replace the current limitations on diversions and height increases with a more flexible arrangement under which the LPAs would be able to exercise their judgement on what should require fresh consent
• to remove the current bar on any changes, however modest, being carried out in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, subject to the right of the LPAs to require fresh consent in cases where significant impact is seen as arising
• to allow the installation of additional wooden supports in existing lines subject to LPAs not assessing changes as significant

Following this consultation, the Government issued a response to views expressed by consultees.