Agenda item

The Principal Planning Policy Officer presented the report to the Committee with the addition of an in-depth presentation that provided visual representations of the proposed options.

The National Grid Electricity Transmission (National Grid) was proposing to enhance the East Midlands electricity network by building and operating approximately 60 kilometres (km) of new 400 kilovolt (kV) overhead electricity line from Chesterfield to Willington (South Derbyshire).

The report set out extensive details of the following:

• A summary of National Grid’s Chesterfield to Willington Stage 2 Consultation (Statutory Consultation) which would close on Tuesday, 28^th April 2026;
• The proposed revised route of the overhead line through the District;
• To provide information on the potential “Community Benefits” as set out by UK Government guidance in relation to overhead lines; and,
• To reference the possibility of entering into a Planning Performance Agreement in respect of the Project.

Members raised concerns on some of the proposal’s options regarding height, location, encroachment of settlements, nearness of a school and the impact on the local environment (e.g., the District’s heritage assets).

A Member shared concern that the residents of Blackwell Ward had not been consulted despite being as nearly as impacted as other neighbouring wards.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer informed the consultation closed on 28^th April 2026 – there remained some time to submit objections and it was  encouraged all persons able respond to the consultation.

The Committee took a sceptical view on the availability of compensation from the National Grid’s Community Benefits after it had been shared with all other impacted areas (63), with questions additionally raised on how such a scheme would work.

Members were unanimous in sharing concern on the potential impact on Tibshelf Ward.

A Member asked if research had taken place on the potential health implications of the proposal near a school.

An observing Councillor shared Tibshelf Parish Council had formed a working party to investigate and raise awareness on the proposal’s impact on Tibshelf Ward and thanked the  Development Management and Land Charges Manager for attending a recent meeting at Tibshelf to answer questions.

The Committee was further informed the health implications from the proposal, while within the minimum standard as established by the National Grid, were in contravention to the recommendations and findings of the World Health Organisation.

Regarding the school, while the 263 metre distance covered the distance between the proposal and the school facilities, it did not take into account the surrounding areas including the sports field.

The observing Councillor stated not all residents of Tibshelf Ward had been contacted directly via letter by the National Grid and finally, when in consultation with the National Grid adequate answers on the provision / cost of underground cabling had proven questionable.

For the answers provided on why the pylons were the only viable option within the proposal, it was noted it had been identified that the land by the River Amber would prove highly unsuitable for the structures – this argument could therefore apply to Tibshelf Ward with 4 previous underground mines being present in the area.

It was noted the consultation in the District had also only been 7 weeks, and not the 8 weeks as supposedly intended.  The Committee was additionally informed the consultation in 2024 covering the option through the  Amber Valley had taken place over 18 weeks in comparison.

The Committee was informed the Council could declare a position on the proposal and recommend all impacted wards and residents across all impacted local authority areas submit objections to the proposal.

Moved by Councillor Steve Fritchley and seconded by Councillor Phil Smitth

RESOLVED that Planning Committee: 1) Notes the proposal for a revised route of the new overhead electricity line from Chesterfield to Willington, which is located in part in the District;

2)    Agrees the basis of the proposed response to the Consultation that the Council should object to the Stage 2 proposed route due to its harmful impact on the District’s heritage assets, local communities and landscape and of the four options identified by National Grid that Alternative Routeing Option 3 - North-west of Astwith, pass between Lower Pilsley and North Wingfield was supported instead;

3)    Agrees that the Council respond positively to all benefit areas listed in the National Grid’s Community Benefits Survey and that details for this benefit scheme are requested and provided at the National Grid’s earliest opportunity;

4)    Agrees in principle to entering into a Planning Performance Agreement in respect of the Project should this be necessary or advantageous to the Council;

5)    Gives delegated authority to the Interim Strategic Director Economic Growth, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Committee, to finalise and submit a detailed response to the National Grid Stage 2 Consultation on the basis outlined in the report.