Worldham Network Investment (Alton to Fernhurst connection)

We are investing over £35M to boost the electricity network in the local area.

We’ve been granted planning permission to allow us to install approximately 4.6km of new underground electricity cables, and connect them to a new electricity substation. This planning consent includes a new access road to our substation off Blanket Street in East Worldham.

A second planning application is currently in process which would see access provided direct from Selbourne Road to the substationfor use during the construction phase. After the build is complete and during normal operations the access will remain via Blanket Street, however this will be periodic maintenance works and low levels of operational traffic only.  A planning decision is expected later this year on this arrangement. This application will not modify the anticipated date of completion - September 2029. Please note that this is subject to change.

The now granted planning application allows the underground cables to be connected, from 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 new substation will be located in an arable field to the west of Blanket Street at OS grid reference SU 73838 37656. The current access road would connect the 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.

As a result of significant developments in the area, our 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, electrification of domestic heating supplies.

The new substation would 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 scheme will see approximately 4km of overhead line removed from view around Worldham. Download our map 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 required planning permission:

• Construction of a new substation and associated buildings and structures within a fenced compound – Planning application reference: - 60393

• Construction of a new access road between Blanket Street and the new substation.

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

The substation compound shall be enclosed by a palisade fence and shall 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 will 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 shall be required. Watercourse modifications 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 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 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.
• Construction of two replacement 132kV terminal towers.
• Modification of two existing 132kV electricity towers.
• Temporary construction compounds to be in place from late 2026.
• We anticipate that the works will have only a minor impact on local transport with no major works expected on the local highway.

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

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.

We’ve been granted planning permission, as of February 2026, to build a new substation, which we’ll connect 4.6km of new underground cables to. You can access all related project documents and public comments via the East Hampshire Planning Portal. This planning consent includes a new access road to our substation off Blanket Street in East Worldham.

A second planning application is currently in process which would see access provided direct from Selbourne Road to the substation. This application is relevant only during the construction of the new cable and substation, for the removal of traffic from Blanket Street to ease the construction traffic impact on local residents.  A planning decision is expected later this year, with the project anticipated to complete by September 2029. Please note that this is subject to change.

Details of our works will be available at www.ssen.co.uk/worldham-network-investment and residents will be notified as soon as possible.

We are engaging with landowners to ensure they are aware of our plans. We always enter into conversation with landowners with the aim of obtaining voluntary agreements for land rights.

We are hosting drop-in events throughout the project to share more information about our proposals and answer your questions. Please check back here for information on any future events.

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.

For more information on land rights and new connections visit our dedicated pages on our website here.

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

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is proposed to be used to install the underground cables at specific points along the cable route where trenching has been found to 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.

If traffic management or road closures are required, details will be available on this page and locals will be notified via post and email with four weeks advance notice, in agreement with Hampshire County Council.

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.

Visit our website at www.ssen.co.uk/worldham-network-investment for more information about our investment in your area. The website will be updated as works progress.