Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 14471

Received: 29/08/2025

Respondent: SP Energy Networks

I&O_15016
The comments below are provided by SP Energy Networks on behalf of SP Manweb which owns and operates the electricity network for the Cheshire West and Chester area. My comments are:  Policy EN1 is noted, in particular point 6, however there needs to be a policy that protects existing electricity networks from development that adversely impacts on the existing network. This is to ensure existing network services can operate to supply existing and new consumers. Policy EN1 point 6 also needs to recognise substations developments that will be needed to support new development. The Local Plan should make provision for the required electricity networks that Point 6 is seeking to mitigate. SPEN is aware NPPF is being amended to provide guidance for LPAs to include policies in their local plans to better support new electricity networks so the emerging local plan policy should do the same. The Cheshire East Local Plan has a very helpful policy in INF 8: Utilities which protects services from adverse impacts and has been used to protect electricity networks against development which would impact on the network.