400kV GIS substation at Central Electricity Generating Board, Calow, Chesterfield

What was proposed

The application proposed a 400kV GIS substation with transformers, access roads, buildings, drainage, landscaping, footpath changes and tree felling.

“The Committee considered an application that had been submitted for the erection of a 400kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation including three super grid transformers, gantries, internal access roads, a GIS building, parking, drainage, diesel generator, lighting and CCTV, permanent access road from Calow Lane, earthworks, landscaping and biodiversity enhancement, and fencing the permanent realignment of footpaths NE5/25/1 and NE5/16/1 and felling of trees subject to…”

Minutes

Why approval was advised

Officers identified significant landscape harm and policy conflicts but considered that conditions and substantial energy and public benefits justified approval.

“Notwithstanding these conflicts, Officers were satisfied that impacts relating to residential amenity, environmental issues, ecology, highways and public rights of way could be appropriately mitigated through planning conditions, and that no statutory consultees had objected to the proposal.”

“Overall, Officers concluded that having balanced the identified harm against the public benefits, that the benefits of the proposal clearly outweighed the policy conflicts and associated harm. Therefore, the application was recommended for…”

Minutes

Who spoke

The Committee heard from objectors, the applicant and the agent before considering the application.

Members’ discussion

Members regretted the effect on Calow residents but considered grid improvements more beneficial, with assurances that conditions addressed flood risk.

“Committee discussed the application and agreed that the effect on the local residents of Calow was regrettable but that the long-term positive impacts from improvements to the grid outweighed these negatives. Members received reassurances from Officers that flood risks had been accounted for by the applicant and that conditions adequately laid out protections to ensure no increased flooding would occur from development of the site.”

Minutes

The committee motion

A motion was moved and seconded for Members to be minded to grant permission under the officer recommendation.

“At the conclusion of the discussion Councillor L Hartshorne and Councillor A Cooper moved and seconded a Motion that Members be minded to grant planning permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, with authority delegated to the Planning Manager to issue the decision notice following expiry of the departure publicity period.”

Minutes

What was decided

Members were minded to grant permission subject to conditions, with the final decision delegated after the departure publicity period and consideration of representations.

“That Members RESOLVE that they are MINDED TO GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the report (final wording delegated to the Planning Manager - Development Management), and that authority be delegated to the Planning Manager to issue the decision notice on or after expiry of the departure advertisement period on 13 August 2026, provided that:”

Minutes