Connection to national grid

[hoff135]

Say you wanted a connection to electricity. But the line was across the fence on someone else's land can they refuse to allow you to connect or have you any right of access to power?

One route would require 1 pole on someone else's ground the other no poles would be required.

 

[steveR]

Say you wanted a connection to electricity. But the line was across the fence on someone else's land can they refuse to allow you to connect or have you any right of access to power?

One route would require 1 pole on someone else's ground the other no poles would be required.

Based on a happening here a number of years ago, and then again more recently, a connection can be made without the Landowners permission and the power company can take a cable across (in the air) to a pole on another property. However, if poles are required or an underground cable, all bets are off.

I refused permission for a new line to a private property, as it would have meant 2 poles in my fields with peanuts compo. MEB went a different route, and now WPD have to cut willows under the line every 18months!!!

 

[steveR]

Based on a happening here a number of years ago, and then again more recently, a connection can be made without the Landowners permission and the power company can take a cable across (in the air) to a pole on another property. However, if poles are required or an underground cable, all bets are off.

I refused permission for a new line to a private property, as it would have meant 2 poles in my fields with peanuts compo. MEB went a different route, and now WPD have to cut willows under the line every 18months!!!

I would add, that the landowner can insist that the cables are placed so that they do not impede machinery etc, or a danger, but that will come out with the chat with the leccy boys.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

Scotland may be different, but there is no 'right of access to power'.

Landowners can refuse to allow new poles and equipment to be placed on their property and only need to grant reasonable access to maintain/ replace existing equipment.

My mate's job is arranging new connections. It is up to the client to arrange 'leeways'.
His first question is usually "How well do you get on with your neighbours?"

 

[tepapa]

I had to get the land owners permission to put a stay on a pole, in his field, so they could put a wire up to my house. Electric company wouldn't do anything until I had got permission.
Land owner wasn't going to do anything until I got my cheque book out. Scottish power took the opportunity to change the pole and transformer whilst they where at it as the land owner was holding out for more money before allowing them access to change a line of poles.

 

[steveR]

Scotland may be different, but there is no 'right of access to power'.

Landowners can refuse to allow new poles and equipment to be placed on their property and only need to grant reasonable access to maintain/ replace existing equipment.

My mate's job is arranging new connections. It is up to the client to arrange 'leeways'.
His first question is usually "How well do you get on with your neighbours?"

Must have changed since I was approached (by power Co) about a line crossing...

 

[Jackov Altraids]

Must have changed since I was approached (by power Co) about a line crossing...

I'm only going by our past conversations. I think a new line crossing without extra stays or poles would be a very 'grey area' but could be done with a keen power company.
The thing is, it is up to the person wanting the connection to arrange and it really does require them to have a good relationship with the landowner or deep pockets.

 

[Goweresque]

Utility companies have statutory powers to install their supplies over land, if they decide to do so no landowner can stop them. So if you request a supply that needs to come via a third party land they 'can' make that happen using their statutory powers. In practice if its just a single supply to one person via third party land they will demand you gain a wayleave from the third party first. Which is going to cost you money. I guess that if you were unable to come to an arrangement for a wayleave (the third party blankly refused to even consider any offer for example) you could go back to the electric company with the evidence of the refusal to negotiate, and then they might use their statutory powers to create the supply. Which could take time, if the third party fought it all the way. Thats why the electric companies ask for the wayleave first, it saves them a lot of hassle if the 2 parties can agree among themselves before they get involved.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

Utility companies have statutory powers to install their supplies over land, if they decide to do so no landowner can stop them. So if you request a supply that needs to come via a third party land they 'can' make that happen using their statutory powers. In practice if its just a single supply to one person via third party land they will demand you gain a wayleave from the third party first. Which is going to cost you money. I guess that if you were unable to come to an arrangement for a wayleave (the third party blankly refused to even consider any offer for example) you could go back to the electric company with the evidence of the refusal to negotiate, and then they might use their statutory powers to create the supply. Which could take time, if the third party fought it all the way. Thats why the electric companies ask for the wayleave first, it saves them a lot of hassle if the 2 parties can agree among themselves before they get involved.

Indeed.

And the quote for a new connection would reflect the time and expense of applying to use such powers which would in most cases be prohibitively expensive and still require payments to the land owner.
This is why it may happen for large developments and businesses but not for individuals.

 

[betternextyear]

Our hamlet needed a new substation it has 7 houses. The neighbouring landowner refused to allow the replacement on his land. So the network company came to me to ask for help. We happily agreed to allow the substation for 1/2 the amount of compulsory purchase of the tw"* next door. I am tempted to show him the cheque.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

Our hamlet needed a new substation it has 7 houses. The neighbouring landowner refused to allow the replacement on his land. So the network company came to me to ask for help. We happily agreed to allow the substation for 1/2 the amount of compulsory purchase of the tw"* next door. I am tempted to show him the cheque.

Your post doesn't make sense.
If you are happy, why the attitude?

And when asked to help, you offered it at half the known value...... are you an NFU negotiator?

 

[bigw]

If the cable crosses their land and you dont need to put a pole on it then i'm pretty sure you can do it without their consent.

 

[betternextyear]

Your post doesn't make sense.
If you are happy, why the attitude?

And when asked to help, you offered it at half the known value...... are you an NFU negotiator?

Yes I could have explained it better. Long and the short I got an improved 3 phase connection now 50kw. and a very generous cheque just for being helpful. (I think its called karma)

 

[TheTallGuy]

If the cable crosses their land and you dont need to put a pole on it then i'm pretty sure you can do it without their consent.

I believe that it still falls under the requirement for a wayleave under The Electricity Act 1989. The electricity supply company can apply for a "necessary wayleave" under schedule 4 (paras 6 & 7) if the land owner or occupier refuses the wayleave, however the licence holder has to show that they have made reasonable efforts to negotiate a settlement and that the need for the scheme is reasonable and proportionate.