Worldham Network Investment (Alton to Fernhurst connection)

We are planning to invest £33.3M to boost the electricity network in the local area.

We are preparing to submit a planning application to allow us to install approximately 4.6km of new underground electricity cables, and connect them to a new electricity substation, which would be built as part of the project. The substation would be located off Blanket Street in West Worldham.

The application is scheduled to be submitted shortly. If granted, the planning application would allow the unground cables to be connected, from new and existing overhead powerlines to a new electricity substation along three separate routes:

• The Alton-Fleet cable route will follow a northerly alignment from the proposed new substation. The underground cable route is approximately 1.4km long and would terminate at existing towers at OS grid reference SU 73761 38793.
• The Fernhurst Tee cable route will follow a south-easterly alignment from the proposed new substation. The cable route is approximately 1.2km long and would terminate at a new tower on the edge of an arable field at approximately OS grid reference SU 7457 3704.
• The Winchester-Nursling cable route will follow a south-westerly alignment from the proposed new substation. The cable route is approximately 1.8km long and would terminate at a new tower in an arable field at OS grid reference SU 7252 3652.

The proposed new substation would be located in an arable field to the west of Blanket Street at OS grid reference SU 73838 37656. The proposed access road would connect the proposed substation to Blanket Street (at OS grid reference SU 74133 37226) via a field used for the grazing of livestock.

There are no planned power cuts scheduled to take place during the works.

If approved, the scheme would see approximately 4.5 kilometres of overhead line removed from view around Worldham. Download our map from our webpage to see where the overhead lines would be removed.

Removing this section of overhead lines, would also reduce the number of access requests made to landowners, for future maintenance works. It would also increase the safety of SSEN assets in proximity to the general public and farmers operating heavy equipment.

The following requires planning permission:

• Construction of a new substation and associated buildings and structures within a fenced compound.
• Construction of a new access road between Blanket Street and the new substation.

The footprint of the proposed substation would be approximately 120m x 80m. The construction footprint would be approximately 130m x 90m.

The proposed substation compound would be enclosed by a palisade fence and would contain infrastructure relating to the distribution of electricity. These would include modern, low noise, high voltage transformers, cabling conductors and steel panel constructed buildings. Localised proximity lighting would be required but the site would only be lit when operatives are present in rare fault or security incidents. Surface water drainage that connects to existing ditches would be required. Watercourses via filtration systems will be installed as part of works scope. 

You can download the proposed design of the substation at the bottom of this page. 

The proposed access road would be approximately 500m long x 5m wide.

The road’s surface would be hardstanding, such as tarmac or similar. The access road would not require lighting. Kerbing is not proposed but a surface water drainage system that connects to existing ditches will be required.

The following proposed works would be undertaken under permitted development:

• Installation of approximately 4.6km of new underground dual circuit 132kV cable connecting the new substation to the existing overhead network. Cable will be installed along three separate routes: the Alton-Fleet cable route, the Winchester- Nursling cable route, and the Winchester Tee cable route.
• Installation of approximately 400m of new underground 33kV cable and two H-poles.
• Construction of two new 132kV terminal towers.
• Modification of two existing 132kV electricity towers.
• Temporary construction compounds to be in place from late 2024 until early 2027. The works will have very minor impact on local transport with no major works proposed in local highway.

We are engaging with landowners on these proposals, to discuss these and make them aware of our intentions. We always enter into conversation with landowners with the aim of obtaining voluntary agreements for land rights.

As part of our commitment to community engagement, the team is also exploring the possibility of hosting community events in the coming months, which will be advertised ahead of time.

These events will ensure that we can clearly demonstrate to everyone what work is proposed, when it is happening, and how it might impact them. We would welcome the opportunity for you to join us, so please keep visiting the page for updates.

We need land rights to install, use, maintain and renew our equipment on privately owned land. All land rights must be in place before we install and energise a connection to our network.

Our priority is to first obtain land rights voluntarily. We always enter into conversation with landowners with the aim of obtaining voluntary agreements for land rights. A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), would only be used as a last resort to acquire the land and land rights necessary for the project.

The term land rights is used as a collective term to cover the acquisition of property rights, to secure our distribution network, such as Freehold and Leasehold interests, Easements or Wayleaves.

For more information on land rights and new connections, visit Land Rights page. 

A Compulsory Purchase Order, or CPO, is a legal mechanism by which land and land rights can be acquired, without the consent of the owner where it is in the public interest or for the greater public good.

A CPO can be used for infrastructure projects such as new roads, new railways, new housing and electricity substations.

As a result of significant developments in and around the Alton/ Fernhurst area, the existing electricity network is unable to meet the forecast increase in demand over the coming years without this investment. This includes demand growth for low carbon technologies such as heat pumps, solar generation, electric vehicle charging, and electrification of domestic heating supplies.

The new substation could also allow for future high voltage low carbon technologies to be connected to the electricity grid. Including investments into solar power and battery storage systems essential for meeting government Net Zero targets. This investment will ensure the electricity network is resilient, efficient and secure for years to come. Keeping essential power flowing to those living and working in the area and allowing for local investment and business growth.

The new substation in West Worldham is not part of the Alton to Bordon investment project, but is part of a separate project to future proof the electricity network in the local area.

For details on the Alton to Bordon investment project, visit our dedicated page here.

In areas where space for overhead construction is limited, especially in urban areas, underground laying of cables is a safe and preferred method for maintaining the energy needs of a community. Additionally, in areas of natural beauty or regular foot traffic, underground cabling is preferred to the existing overhead tower network for safety and visual impact. Electricity is transmitted from one point to another.

The route chosen is the most direct and therefore the most economical route.

Land use and environmental considerations are taken into account when selecting cable routes. After taking these factors into account, the shortest route possible is identified and selected to minimise both cost and disturbance to the land in question.

The planning application is likely to be submitted by the end of January 2024. Once submitted, a decision on the planning application is expected within six months (but is subject to change).

If approved, works on the project could start as early as July 2024 and could take up to 30 months to complete. All dates are subject to change.

These dates are subject to change. Details of any changes will be available on this page and locals will be notified of delays as soon as possible via post and email.

The underground cables will need to cross Caker Lane, Blanket Street and Water Lane to reach the new substation. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) would be used. This will not require daytime road closures and have minimal impact on traffic.

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) will be used to install the underground cables at specific points along the cable route where trenching would not be appropriate.

HDD is a minimal impact trenchless method of installing underground utilities such as pipe, conduit, or cables along a prescribed underground path, using a surface-launched drilling rig. It offers significant environmental advantages over traditional cut and cover pipeline/utility installations. The technique is routinely used when conventional trenching or excavating is not practical or when minimal surface disturbance is required.

Ensuring the local community is aware in advance of any disruptive works is essential for all construction projects. Where communities will be significantly affected (e.g. full road closures, particularly noisy work, and work outside of core working hours) we endeavour to issue advance works notifications at least two weeks before the works are due to begin.

These advance works notifications will describe the works we are carrying out, how communities might be affected, and the duration of those works. We’ll also put in place advance warning signs on the road network ahead of closures and diversions.

Road signs will be put into place with details of diversion routes where works are currently occurring, and this will continue as works progress.

The rules regarding signs state that the message should be quick and easy to digest, so would seek to keep any wording simple at this time.

Where our works affect bus stops, these stops will be closed, and we will request that a temporary stop be located within a short walk of the original location.

Where entire roads are closed, buses will divert to an alternative route and information on these changes will be posted in-person and online by the bus operators.

We’re committed to carrying out this essential project with the minimum disruption, especially for emergency services.

As is standard practice for projects which have an official traffic management programme, full details of these plans and any subsequent updates will be shared with all emergency services via the local County Council’s Highways Department.

There is no process by which SSEN offer compensation for any inconvenience or loss caused in the undertaking of statutory duties. However, this does not affect your Statutory Rights.

Great care is taken throughout the programme of works to minimise the risk of incidents taking place which may damage private property. In the unlikely event that an isolated event does occur, please contact our Community Relations Team.