Changes proposed to the Beacon Fen application
BEACON FEN ENERGY PARK
LAND 6.5 KM NORTHEAST OF SLEAFORD AND 2.5 KM NORTH OF HECKINGTON, LINCOLNSHIRE
CONSULTATION ON A PROPOSED CHANGE
The Development Consent Order (DCO) Application for the Beacon Fen Energy Park Project (the ‘Project’ or the ‘Proposed Development’) was submitted by Beacon Fen Energy Park Ltd (the Applicant) on 8 April 2025 to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (the DCO Application). The Application was subsequently accepted for examination on 1 May 2025 pursuant to section 55 of the Planning Act 2008 (the PA 2008). The DCO Application (PINS Reference: EN010151) is currently under examination by an Inspector appointed by PINS (the ExA). Further details are at the Beacon Fen Energy Park Project Page of PINS website at:
https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010151
If you have questions about the examination underway please email PINS on beaconfen@planninginspectorate.gov.uk or telephone 0303 444 5000.
The Proposed Change now sought to the DCO Application reflects an updated design provided by National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (NGET) to the Applicant for the required extension to Bicker Fen Substation.
The design has evolved as NGET has progressed through its design phase, as is typical for works of this nature.
The Applicant is now submitting a Change Request incorporating the Proposed Change to the ExA. The ExA will then decide whether to accept this into the examination. The Proposed Change to the Bicker Fen Substation extension works comprises the following elements:
• A new OHL tower up to 56.2m in height with four legs supported on a square excavation of up to 7m by 7m wide, and up to 5m deep. This would be located anywhere within the revised area of Work No. 5C;
• A single span of new 400kV overhead cables between the new OHL tower and one of the existing towers. Alternatively, the design of the Proposed Change allows for underground electrical cables should these be installed (Work No. 5C);
• Modification of either or both existing towers contained within Work No. 5C, including but not limited to new / modified cross-arms, insulators, downleads, cable sealing ends, cable gantries, foundations, arrangements / orientations of overhead lines, communications links, and other electrical infrastructure (Work No. 5C);
• Construction of one new access in the form of a new bell mouth adjoining Vicarage Drove to the south-east or south of the Substation for access the extension and pylon/tower. The new access would be located within the existing extent of Work No. 10;
• Extension of the temporary laydown (Work No. 5D) to an area that is largely existing hardstanding adjacent to the south; and
• Vegetation removal and infilling of the existing drainage pond adjacent the Substation to construct the Substation extension works (Work No. 5E);
A brief description of the changes to the descriptions of the relevant Work Numbers (as described in Schedule 1 to the Draft DCO (REP2-004)) and as shown on Sheet 18 of the current Works Plans (AS-006) is provided in the table below.
A brief description of the changes to the descriptions of the relevant Work Numbers (as described in Schedule 1 to the Draft DCO (REP2-004)) and as shown on Sheet 18 of the current Works Plans (AS-006) is provided in the table below:
Work No.
4A
Work No. 4A would be extended to include land along the southeast boundary of the Bicker Fen Substation. The increase in the size of the area covered by Work No. 4A is approximately 0.9ha. The extension of Work No. 4A will provide additional flexibility for the final location of the Cable Route as NGET progresses the design of the Proposed Development’s generation bay. It is conceivable that, as part of the Substation extension, Beacon Fen's bay could be moved to be within the existing Substation (for example should a bay be freed up by any reconfiguration undertaken as part of the extension).
5C
Work No. 5C would be extended to include land to the southeast of the Bicker Fen Substation which is shown by ‘Work No. 4A &5E’ on Sheet 18 of the Works Plans (AS-006). The increase in the size of the area covered by Work No. 5C is 2ha. The extension of Work No. 5C will provide additional flexibility for the final location of the cable sealing end and proposed new
OHL tower as NGET progresses the design of the Proposed Development’s generation bay. The description of Work Number 5C in the Draft DCO (REP2-004) will be updated as part of the Change Application.
5D
Work No. 5D would be extended to the south to include the adjacent land that is largely existing hardstanding located to the north of the of the Bicker Fen Substation. The increase in the size of the area covered by Work No. 5D is 0.6ha.
5E
The area for Work No. 5E would be unchanged. The infilling of the drainage pond adjacent to the Substation and vegetation removal would take place within the existing area for Work No. 5E shown on Sheet 18 of the Works Plans (AS-006).
10 The area for Work No. 10 would be unchanged. The new access would be located within the existing extent of Work No. 10
The Proposed Change would not alter the overall boundary (Order Limits) as shown in the DCO Application within which the Proposed Development may be carried out. The Proposed Change does not include a request to include additional powers of compulsory acquisition. A plan comparing the existing Works Plans (AS-006) and the proposed changes to the Works Plans and a document describing the Proposed Change can be viewed at Boston Library, Bank Street Entrance, County Hall, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 6DY and Swineshead Pre-School Centre, North End, Swineshead, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE20 3LZ or downloaded free of charge from the Beacon Fen Energy park’s project website: https://www.beaconfenenergypark.co.uk/documents/ Any responses to this consultation must be submitted to the Applicant by 23:59 on Sunday 7th December 2025 in writing via email (info@beaconfenenergypark.co.uk) or by post (FREEPOST Beacon Fen Energy Park [no stamp is required]). Responses may be shared with PINS and published as part of the Change Request application in line with our privacy policy which is available at the above website. If you require the consultation documents in another format or have questions about the examination, please call 0330 057 1943 to request this.