Infrastructure projects in the East

A major priority area for the CLA is infrastructure projects and their impact on members. The topic was the main discussion paper at the last round of branch committees, considering how the CLA can help our members to mitigate impacts on their businesses and in some cases encourage opportunities.

Poor communication from infrastructure providers is common, and unfortunately aggressive agents amplify the issue, at times. Often it is difficult for communities, landowners, farmers and rural businesses to get voices heard.

Sadly we often see lack of detail, changing plans and little regard to the impact on farming, and rural businesses throughout the process. Whilst landowners and farmers can (and should) instruct agents to represent them, the process can still be time consuming – from early surveys, through the build process and in to reinstatement. There is also ongoing liability and legal issues relating to easements and wayleaves.

The CLA has formulated policy asks around four key headings of co-ordination, co-design, community benefit and compensation.

We believe there needs to be oversight of the cumulative impact of all infrastructure projects in an area. National Grid’s ‘Great Grid Upgrade’ will impact on land not only for generation sites but also the corridors for distribution of electricity. Energy projects are a particular issue in the east, given the number of offshore wind projects off the east coast, and resulting grid infrastructure required.

The UK’s ambitious clean energy targets and drive for economic growth are bringing significant changes. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, due in the Spring, will provide powers to accelerate infrastructure and homes and fast track infrastructure such as windfarms, power plants, and major road and rail projects. The CLA will be working to ensure the proposals are fair and balanced and recognise the benefits of working with, rather than against, landowners, farmers and rural businesses.

Engagement with landowners early in the process can support and accelerate the delivery of projects, and can reduce costs.

Connectivity has long been an issue the CLA has highlighted as holding back the rural economy. Many of our members have had diversification opportunities halted or delayed because they cannot get a grid connection to import electricity, or they have been restricted exporting electricity for renewables generation. However, as currently proposed, much of the grid upgrades will pass through land without providing additional opportunity to connect their own projects.

The CLA has recently held a number of meetings with the Clean Power Team at Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to highlight many of the issues members have raised with us. We are in the process of organising a site visit to members, for the team to see and hear the impact projects can have. Together, we can come up with solutions to help them deliver projects in a timely, cost effective manner, with minimal detrimental impact on farmers, landowners and rural businesses.

We want them to recognise how more coordination and strategic planning for future capacity could be beneficial to all parties.

Whilst we always look out for announcements of new schemes, we often depend on our members to flag up these schemes to us as they arise, as there is no requirement for the promoters to inform the CLA nationally or regionally.

Individual members should engage advisers to act on their behalf, but, where possible, we also seek to engage early with the infrastructure providers and their agents to ensure their approach to landowners is correct and level of engagement is good. We have produced a guidance note about getting your voice heard here >

We recently responded to MHCLG’s Consultation on the Compulsory Purchase Process and Compensation Reforms.

The interaction of infrastructure with the new Land Use Framework is also something we are discussing with government.

If you have been impacted by infrastructure projects (whether that be energy, transport, water, waste or other projects) please do get in touch with the CLA East office on 01638 590429 or by email east@cla.org.uk.

Case studies allow us to bring the issues to life and demonstrate the huge personal and business impacts these projects can have. In particular we would like to hear examples ahead of our site visit with Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) officials to ensure the meeting is as productive as possible.

East West Rail

The CLA East team is intending to put together a land managers / farmers group to facilitate discussions on the East West Rail infrastructure project.

We would like to hear from members who are affected by East West Rail and would be keen to be part of this group.

The objectives of this group are to share knowledge and best practises in relation to compensation and communication. Please contact Regional Surveyor Eleanor Willats if you would like further information on this group.