UK, England, Weston Marsh: Plans have been submitted for a new power substation at Weston Marsh in Lincolnshire, designed to support a major offshore wind farm and wider energy infrastructure upgrades. The facility is one of two substations linked to the Outer Dowsing scheme in the region.
The development includes a 400 kV air-insulated substation with associated landscaping, drainage, highways work and environmental measures.
The Substation A project forms part of the Grimsby to Walpole development, which also includes around 140 km of new pylons across the Fens. The wider programme is intended to upgrade the national electricity distribution network, though it has attracted strong local opposition.
The proposed site is located on Marsh Road, north of Weston and close to Surfleet Seas End. A planning document notes that there is no realistic alternative location, as the substation will connect several renewable projects including Outer Dowsing, Meridian Solar Farm and the Ossion Wind Farm.
The application describes the Weston Marsh Substation A as a key connection point for these energy developments. It also states that additional environmental mitigation measures will go beyond standard requirements to reduce impacts.
Around 76 construction jobs are expected to be created. Environmental features will include one owl box, a peregrine falcon platform, and 35 ha of planting for farmland birds.
The report notes that there are no current decommissioning plans for the substations. Construction impacts are described as low overall, though a medium impact is expected near Crowtree Cottages.
Source: Spalding Voice
