Main Sealink Issues for resolution
Every developer applying for a Development Consent Order is now required to produce and maintain a pre-application Programme Document. The document sets out the main steps that the applicant anticipates taking during the preparation of the application and must be published on the applicant’s website.
Here we have highlighted the main issues for resolution from the document.
Main issues for resolution
Landscape and visual effects (Suffolk and Kent converter stations)
Consideration of landscape and visual effects at both converter station sites, and possible mitigation including siting, planting & design approaches.
Heritage effects (Suffolk and Kent converter stations)
Consideration of heritage effects at both converter station sites, and possible mitigating further to trial trenching and assessment.
Socio-economic and tourism effects (Suffolk and Kent)
In respect of onshore proposals, the likely effects on socio-economic receptors, and tourism.
Coordination with other projects (predominantly Suffolk)
Approach to coordinating with various other developers (particularly in Suffolk) including National Grid Ventures.
Proposed access route to converter station (Suffolk)
Approach to accessing the proposed converter station, including considering alternative accesses, the crossing of the River Fromus (including the scale of the bridge and associated heritage and landscape setting impacts), construction traffic, methodology for AILs, local road network, and inter-project traffic effects.
Construction hours (Suffolk)
Working hours of Monday to Friday 0700 -1900 and Saturday, Sunday and Bank holidays 0700-1700 to be included in the DCO. Hours are more restrictive for percussive piling and HGV movements. Consideration of the impact in the area.
Ecology at proposed site for Kent converter station
Ecological effects of proposals, including those associated with the Kent converter station at proposed site near Richborough Substation.
Surface water and ground conditions (Kent)
At the proposed site of the Kent converter station, likely effects in terms of flooding, surface water, and ground conditions.
New overhead line section (Kent)
Ecology and landscape implications of section of new overhead line required to link proposed converter station to the network.
Marine issues
Including benthic ecology, fish and shellfish ecology and marine mammals.
Full document is on the documents home page – unable to link directly, document is called Sea Link Programme Document (February 2025) on this page:
https://www.nationalgrid.com/the-great-grid-upgrade/sea-link/document-library