JO/WART E3L5 Keysworth 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 Keysworth Dorset Type of project/consent requested Section 37 consent to install or keep installed an electric line. OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Energy Infrastructure Planning 3-8 Whitehall Place London SW1A 2JP Email: S37consents@energysecurity.gov.uk Website: www.gov.uk/desnz John O'Reilly New Forest Depot, Minstead, Lyndhurst, SO43 7PE Our ref: 2425u Your ref: JO/WART E3L5 Keysworth 22 April 2026 Dear Mr O'Reilly, 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: JO/WART E3L5 Keysworth 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 Dorset Council LPA (“the LPA”) for information. Screening decision for a proposed development (“the proposed development”) to: • 1 x pole replacement of existing 75m, 11kV overhead line; OFFICIAL OFFICIAL 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 Southern Electric Power Distribution PLC (“the Applicant”) in relation to the impacts on the environment of the proposed development and the views of 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 following designated areas: o Holton & Sandford Heaths Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 4. Natural England was consulted regarding the designated sensitive area in June 2025 and granted unconditional assent to the development from the period between 1 October 2026 and 28 February 2027 (Natural England reference: 1306250934JT). 5. The Applicant consulted with the LPA who had no objection to the proposed development in September 2025 (reference: P/STA/03687). It concluded it was not an EIA development due to it being a minor development. 6. In January 2026, the applicant produced an ecological constraints report to assess the possible risks and mitigations of the development. The survey advised mitigations such as a Non-Licensed Method Statement (NLMS) for Great Crested Newt, Hazel Dormouse and Badger. Ecological Clerk of Works supervision is required during vegetation clearance which should be avoided during bird nesting season. 7. The Secretary of State notes the limited scale of the works, and localised nature of any impacts and that the proposed development is a like for like replacement to existing infrastructure. The Secretary of State therefore considers that there are no likely significant effects arising from the expected residues and emissions and the production of waste or the use of natural resources, in particular soil, land, water and biodiversity and that the proposed development is not likely to have significant effect on the SSSI in which it is located. OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Yours sincerely, John McKenna Head of Network Planning team Energy Infrastructure Planning Delivery Team