This consultation has now closed.

The NFU has submitted its response to the first consultation from National Grid on EGL 3 and EGL 4.

Our response highlights some of the issues that members have raised with the NFU, such as the potential for offshoring more of the route, and the cumulative impact of multiple infrastructure schemes affecting our members. We have stressed the importance of National Grid engaging with affected landowners, and taking into account the overall impact on agricultural businesses.

Other issues raise include:

• substation/convertor station locations
• onshore cable route
• cable depth
• cable corridor
• temporary and permanent access
• discharge of water
• surface apparatus
• heat dissipation
• biodiversity net gain
• soils and drainage
• other practical undertakings.

Read our response in full at: EGL 3 and EGL 4 transmission project consultation

Next steps

The NFU expects National Grid will launch a secondary (statutory) public consultation at some point in 2025 and, following this, a submission of its Development Consent Order in 2026.

Please note that these timescales are indicative and may change as the project develops.

Due to the announcement of a general election on 4 July, National Grid has extended its consultation period. The new deadline for responses is 15 July.

This page has been updated to reflect these new deadlines.

National Grid has also altered the dates of some consultation events.

Please check the relevant National Grid project page accordingly.

This stage represents the early development phase, and National Grid is seeking feedback on its preferred strategic options.

The strategic options include the potential emerging preferred corridor and the graduated swathe, which will outline the route for the project broken down into 8 sections.

To facilitate the consultation process, National Grid will be conducting online webinars that will provide localised sessions for each of the 8 sections.

Each event will be followed by a dedicated question and answer session.

There are also a range of in person public events which you can attend to find out more about the project.

Find out how to sign up for a webinar or event.

For more detail and links to the initial consultation materials, affected members should visit the National Grid's website at: nationalgrid.com/eastern-green-link-3-and-4.

For any inquiries or further information, please contact the National Grid’s Community Relations team at 0800 298 0405 or [email protected].