The Application

Notice is hereby given that National Grid Electricity Transmission plc of 1-3 Strand, London, EC2N 5EH (the Applicant), is proposing to submit an application to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero under Section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 for development consent (the “Application”) for the Projects.

Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL 3) and Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL 4) are two high voltage electricity links between Scotland and England, with converter stations and associated onshore infrastructure, which will each provide an additional 2GW of transmission capacity to the national grid. The Projects form part of the ‘Great Grid Upgrade’, which will facilitate the connection of renewable energy, including up to 50GW of offshore wind to the UK’s electricity network. This will provide substantial support to meeting the UK Government’s net-zero ambitions and reduce the country’s dependency on fossil-fuels.

On 29 February 2024, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero issued two separate directions pursuant to Section 35 of the PA 2008 that confirmed both Projects (the Projects) independently should be treated as a development for which development consent is required. The Applicant subsequently decided that the Projects were to be consented by way of one joint development consent order (DCO), given the nature and proximity of the works.

The Applicant is proposing to submit an application (the Proposed Application) for a DCO pursuant to Section 37 of the PA 2008 to authorise construction of the Projects. The Proposed Application will seek powers for the Applicant to construct, operate and maintain the Projects. It will also cover:

• the temporary and permanent compulsory acquisition of land and/or rights which are required for (or to facilitate or are incidental to) the Projects;

• overriding easements and other rights over or affecting the land for the Projects;

• the application or disapplication of legislation relevant to the Projects; and

• such ancillary, incidental and consequential provisions, permits and consents as are necessary and convenient including deemed marine licenses for the Projects.

About the Projects

The Projects will comprise permanent and temporary infrastructure including, but not limited to the following elements:

• two converter stations in the Walpole area, with one converter station for EGL 3 and one for EGL 4

• offshore high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables. In English waters, EGL 3’s cable would be approximately 436 km long and EGL 4’s would be approximately 425 km long

• transition joint bays to connect our offshore and onshore HVDC cables, located onshore near to our proposed cables landfall at Anderby Creek on the Lincolnshire coastline

• onshore underground HVDC cables running together for approximately 100 km from the joint landfall at Anderby Creek to the EGL 3 and EGL 4 converter stations in the Walpole area, West Norfolk

• one substation in the Walpole area, called Walpole B, where both EGL 3 and EGL 4’s Walpole converter stations would connect to the electricity transmission network (this substation is also jointly proposed as part of NGET’s Grimsby to Walpole project)

• underground high voltage alternating current (HVAC) cables that would connect the converter stations into the substation

• supplementary works to the existing 400 kV overhead line to enable a connection with the new Walpole substation

Sufficient land would be required in order to construct and operate EGL 3 and EGL 4 and to reduce the potential impacts of the Projects, including:

• temporary land for construction activities including work areas for construction equipment and machinery, site offices, welfare, storage, access and drainage

• land required for mitigation, compensation and enhancement of the environment as a result of the environmental assessment process, and for the purposes of delivering biodiversity net gain (BNG), for example by landscaping and planting.

Environmental Impact Assessment

The Projects are “EIA development” for the purposes of The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (the EIA Regulations). The Applicant has notified the Secretary of State in writing under Regulation 8(1)(b) of the EIA Regulations that they intend to provide an Environmental Statement (ES) as part of the Proposed Application which will contain information about the environmental effects of the Projects.

The Applicant is consulting on its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development. Information compiled about the Projects so far is contained in a Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) and is accompanied by a Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the PEIR.

Consultation materials

The Consultation Documents that are to be made available on the Projects website include:

• Stage 2 consultation document, which outlines the proposals for the Projects and provides more information on the consultation;

• Location plans and general arrangement plans showing the extent of the Projects;

• A feedback form, which provides a structured method for consultees to provide their feedback;

• the Statement of Community Consultation, which sets out how the Applicant will consult local communities during statutory consultation;

• Consultation newsletter: a summary of the EGL 3 and EGL 4 projects and consultation details;

• a copy of this notice published pursuant to section 48 of the PA 2008 and Regulation 11 of the EIA Regulations; and

• the PEIR which details potential environmental effects of the Projects, and its Non-Technical Summary.

The consultation materials can be accessed free of charge via the Projects website at the following consultation page: nationalgrid.com/egl3andegl4.

All consultation materials will be available on the Projects website from 12pm noon Tuesday 13 May 2025 until 11.59pm on 23 June 2025. If you would like a paper copy of the consultation materials, or any other document that has been published in connection with the consultation, please let us know, using the contact details given below. In accordance with this notice, to cover printing and postage costs for larger requests, a reasonable copying charge may apply, to be paid for by the recipient and up-to a maximum value of £300. Alternatively, if you would like a USB containing the documents, please let us know and we will send one free of charge. For any queries relating to accessing documents, plans and maps contactegl3and4@nationalgrid.com or call 0800 298 0405.

This notice and its contents form part of the consultation process required by the PA 2008, and we would like your feedback. Your comments are important in helping us refine our proposals. The deadline for submitting responses to the consultation is 11:59pm on Monday 23 June 2025.

Local Information Points

Reference paper copies of certain consultation materials will be available to inspect free of charge from 13 May 2025 until 23 June 2025 in the following locations with selected documents available to take away (subject to availability):

Prior to attending these locations, it is advised that opening hours are checked with the venues as opening hours may be subject to change.

Public information events

Printed copies of certain consultation materials including the PEIR NTS and feedback form can also be viewed at the public information events which will be held as follows:

Responding to this notice

A feedback form will be available on the Projects website and copies will be available at the consultation events, deposit locations, or can be provided on request from the community relations team, via the contact details below.

Taking part in this consultation

There are several ways to submit feedback on the consultation:

• By email to contactegl3and4@nationalgrid.com

• In writing to Freepost EASTERN GREEN LINKS 3 & 4 (no stamp required)

• Online feedback form which can be found on our website nationalgrid.com/egl3andegl4.

• Paper copy feedback form sent to Freepost EASTERN GREEN LINKS 3 & 4

In providing their consultation response, consultees should:

• State in writing the nature of the response or representation;

• Indicate who is making the response or representation; and

• Include an address to which correspondence relating to the response can be provided.

Any comments and representations received will be reviewed and taken into consideration by the Applicant and any appointed agent of the Applicant. Copies of comments and representations will be made available in due course to the Secretary of State, the Planning Inspectorate, and other relevant statutory authorities as part of a Consultation Report to be submitted with the Proposed Application and will therefore be made publicly available. However, no personal details will be placed on public record. Personal details will be held securely in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation and will be used solely in connection with the consultation process and the development of the Projects and, except as noted above, will not be disclosed to any third parties.

Please note that all comments and representations must be received by the Applicants by 11:59pm on Monday 23 June 2025 (postal feedback will be accepted until 30 June 2025).

If you have any queries about the Projects or the consultation, please get in touch:

Email: contactegl3and4@nationalgrid.com

Telephone: 0800 298 0405

Freepost: Freepost EASTERN GREEN LINKS 3 & 4 (no stamp required)