Devon County Council (DCC) has come under fire after spending £350,000 on an electricity substation proposal that was ultimately rejected. The project, designed to provide power for new homes in Exeter, was dismissed due to significant concerns over its environmental impact and the effect on local residents.
The proposed substation was intended for Matford Home Farm, intended to support a large housing development between Alphington and Exminster. However, in April, the Teignbridge planning committee unanimously rejected the application, labelling the plan as “overbearing and alien.” This decision followed substantial objections from the local community.
National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) has now entered the initial stages of identifying a new location for the substation. NGED has indicated that if a suitable alternative site is found, they will not challenge the planning decision. The refusal was based on the potential harm the substation would inflict on the area’s character and the well-being of both current and future residents.
A report presented to DCC’s cabinet committee pointed out that the refusal might delay housing projects in the region. The agenda report noted, “NGED has advised that there is insufficient capacity in the area to support proposed development not just in Teignbridge but also in Exeter and Mid Devon District Council areas.” Despite this, Teignbridge District Council concluded that the need for more electricity capacity did not outweigh the negative impacts of the substation.
The report also mentioned that NGED could appeal the decision by November 3, 2024. However, the extended timelines mean the substation is no longer considered feasible within the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) timescales. As a result, the recommendation was to remove the substation from the programme, leaving NGED to manage the project without HIF funding.
This recommendation was accepted by the cabinet. A local councillor, who represents the area including Exminster, sharply criticised the council’s approach, highlighting the wasted time and money. The councillor said that local residents had opposed the proposed site near the Devon Hotel from the beginning, and their concerns were validated when Teignbridge rejected the plans. The councillor added that it is baffling how the council could have spent nearly four years and £350,000 on a flawed proposal.
The councillor welcomed the decision to remove the substation from the government funding intended for new housing development but warned that National Grid might still appeal the refusal. He also criticised the council for proceeding without securing a legal agreement to purchase the land required for the substation.
He questioned the wisdom of spending such a significant amount on a planning application without first obtaining a signed legal contract for the land. The councillor suggested that other options should be revisited or new sites considered for the substation.
Alternative sites, including land at Marsh Barton, had previously been dismissed by DCC. Responding to the criticism, a DCC spokesperson confirmed that the council’s cabinet had approved removing the substation from the South West Exeter Housing Infrastructure Fund Project following the planning application’s rejection. The matter is now in the hands of the National Grid.
A spokesperson for National Grid Electricity Distribution stated, “We are looking for an alternative site for a new substation to meet Exeter’s future electricity distribution needs as it grows and develops new housing. We are in the early stages of identifying a viable site and engaging with relevant parties. If a deliverable solution can be found, there will not be an appeal against Teignbridge District Council’s planning decision regarding Matford.”
The controversy over the substation underscores the difficulties local authorities and developers face in balancing infrastructure needs with community concerns. As the search for a new site continues, the primary objective remains to ensure that new housing projects can proceed without compromising the area’s character or the residents’ quality of life.
In conclusion, the debate surrounding the Matford substation highlights the complexities of urban development and infrastructure planning. As Devon County Council and the National Grid seek a resolution, it is crucial to find a solution that meets the growing demand for housing while preserving community integrity. The outcome of this issue will likely influence future projects in the region, emphasising the need for thorough planning and community involvement in such initiatives.
