FC0021 Choseley Barns overhead line, S37 Consent, Electricity Act 1989

Secretary of State’s screening decisions in accordance with the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017. Date of decision 22 April 2026 Location Choseley Barns Titchwell, PE31 8PQ Type of project/consent requested Section 37 consent to install or keep installed an electric line. Energy Infrastructure Planning 3-8 Whitehall Place London SW1A 2JP Email: S37consents @energysecurity.gov.uk Website: www.gov.uk/desnz Francesca Cole Eastern Power Networks PLC Barton Road Bury St. Edmunds IP32 7BG Our ref: 2471u Your ref: FC0021 - Choseley Barns, Titchwell, PE31 8PQ 22 April 2026 Dear Miss Cole, SCREENING DECISION BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER THE ELECTRICITY WORKS (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) (ENGLAND AND WALES) REGULATIONS 2017 (“THE 2017 REGULATIONS”) NAME OF SCHEME: FC0021 - CHOSELEY BARNS, TITCHWELL, PE31 8PQ Decision: The Secretary of State concludes that the proposed works are not EIA development under the 2017 Regulations and do not require a statutory EIA as they are unlikely to have significant effects on the environment due to their nature, location, and size. A copy of this letter has been sent to the LPA for information. Screening decision for a proposed development (“the proposed development”) to: • Divert a 1,200 metre 11kV overhead line by removing eighteen existing poles and installing twelve poles, with the existing wire re-strung in the new position Secretary of State considerations: The Secretary of State has considered the factors set out in Schedule 3 of the 2017 Regulations, together with the information within the supplied documentation (“the Application”) by Eastern Power Networks (“the Applicant”) in relation to the impacts on the environment of the proposed development and the views of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Council (“the LPA”). In reaching his decision the Secretary of State notes the following factors: 1. The proposed development does not fall within Schedule 1 (mandatory EIA); 2. The proposed development falls under Schedule 2 of the 2017 Regulations as the electricity line is to be installed above ground in a sensitive area. 3. The proposed development falls within the Norfolk Coast National Landscape. 4. The LPA consulted the Norfolk Coast Protected Landscape Office, which confirmed on 15 December 2025 that it had no concerns and noted that “the new poles will need to be carefully positioned, to ensure no loss of hedgerow habitat”. 5. As a result of the of the consultation with Norfolk Coast Protected Landscape Office, the Applicant commissioned ADAS to prepare an Ecological Constraints Report addressing potential impacts to hedgerows. 6. An ecology survey was conducted at the site of the proposed development on 24 February 2026 and the subsequent “Ecological Constraints Report” was issued on 6 March 2026 by ADAS Ltd (reference: 1053747 / SEA69105 – 1062 (00)). The survey identified that the road verges comprise grassland with hedgerow containing trees. The hedgerows met the criteria for being protected as they exceed 20 metres in length, they also provide suitable habitats for nesting birds, foraging, and commuting bats, and widespread reptiles. As excavations are likely to take place close to trees and hedgerows, Street Works Guidelines for tree root protection should be adhered to. If a reptile is discovered during the works, activities should cease temporarily to allow the species to move away from the area. Works are not currently anticipated to impact the hedgerows or trees, however, should this change and a hedgerow removal become necessary, a hedgerow removal notice should be submitted to the LPA in advance of works. If works to trees and hedgerows are proposed between March and August, checks for nesting birds must be undertaken by a competent person. In addition, a ground level tree assessment for potential bat roosts will be required where any tree clearance or branch trimming is to occur. 7. The Applicant consulted with the LPA, which confirmed on 6 March 2026 that it had no objections to the proposed development 2026 (planning reference: 25/02072/NT28). 8. Although the proposed development is located within a Site of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI) Impact Risk Zone (IRZ) relating to North Norfolk Coast SSSI located ~600 metres from the proposed development, it falls within the Zone of Influence (ZoI) for recreational pressure impacts. As the proposed works are small in scale, involve modifications to existing infrastructure and are unlikely to result in any harmful effects, consultation with Natural England was not undertaken. 9. The proposed development is a minor modification to an existing piece of infrastructure and is likely to have minimal visual impact on the National Landscape in which it is located. Yours sincerely, John McKenna Head of Network Planning team Energy Infrastructure Planning Delivery Team