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New electricity sub-station could be built in Teignbridge

Devon County Council has identified three potential sites for it

The firm said the decision means a typical customer will see annual bill reductions of almost £90 as it passes on lower wholesale costs
Author: Sophie SquiresPublished 29th Jan 2021

A public consultation is underway on proposals for an electricity substation to support development to the south west of Exeter.

Devon County Council has identified three potential sites to the south west of Exeter, and people are being asked for their views on these options, and any others, ahead of a planning application being submitted later in the year.

The substation is another essential element of the £55 million infrastructure needed to enable the development of 2,500 homes and employment in the area.

Western Power Distribution, which is responsible for the electricity network in the area, has advised that there is insufficient capacity in the existing network to support the full development.

Suitable sites for an electricity substation need to be close to the 132kV overhead cables. The site must be level and have good access for construction and maintenance.

In identifying the sites, the County Council has attempted to minimise the impact on existing properties, as well as those planned to be developed and the area identified for the Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANGS).

The options are:

  1. An area located in the south eastern corner of the existing Marsh Barton industrial estate, which has planning permission for mixed employment. It can be accessed via Marsh Barton and Matford Way but would need to be raised as it is within a Flood Zone.
  1. The second site is at Matford Home Farm, and is identified in the Teignbridge Local Plan for mixed use development. It has good access from the A379 and the 132kV network crosses the centre of the site. There are residential properties next to the site's western boundary.
  1. The third option is remote from existing homes, but it is part of a County Wildlife Site and making future connections to the site are likely to require large scale excavation. It is bordered by the M5 to the south east and A30 to the south west.

The consultation will continue until Monday 1 March.

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