Public Acceptance for new transmission overhead lines ... - Landsnet

3. Best practice approach
Chapter 2 above and Annexes 1 and 2 to this report give in detail the practices in the various
Member countries. Based on these practices a “best practice approach” is proposed in the
paragraphs below, forming the basis for managing effectively future transmission projects.
3.1. Policy for new Substations
When planning new substations, it is necessary to check different environmental aspects:
land, water, vegetation, population, town planning, cultural heritage, infrastructure and
protected natural site and landscape presented in the following table.
Aspects Detailed Description of Environmental Aspects
Land The site should preferably be on fairly flat land. This would significantly cut
down the possible effects on the substratum by reducing the need for earth
movements. The Area of the substation site must not be prone to floods or water
stagnation. The substation site should not come within areas or spots listed in the
inventories of sites of geological interest. The terrain should be big enough and
have a suitable layout for housing all substation equipment and services,
including any future extensions.
Water The site should be chosen so as to avoid any damage to the natural drainage
network, especially to permanent surface watercourses, avoiding their
interruption, and to ground-water recharge areas, to avoid any damage to the
underground network.
Vegetation Where possible the substation should be sited in low-productivity farming areas
or uncultivated land, avoiding areas in which the existing plant formations have
a high ecological economic value. All wooded areas should in general be
avoided, especially woodland formed by protected species, singular groups or
riverside copses. The impact on vegetation of the future line corridors should be
considered.
Fauna The site should be chosen so as to avoid any areas or spots listed as protected
Population &
economy
areas due to the importance of their animal communities.
As far as possible the substation must be sited away from population centres,
isolated dwellings and areas of potential urban development. If technically this
cannot be avoided then special design considerations ought to be sought. Zones
with a tourist and / or recreational potential should be avoided as much as
possible.
Town Planning The local town planning policy needs to be taken into account when siting the
substation to avoid urban areas, development land or land held in reserve for
Cultural
Heritage
Infrastructures
and other plant
Protected
Natural sites &
Landscape
possible future development.
All areas should be avoided that contain items belonging to the cultural heritage,
to prevent either direct damage, such as the deterioration or destruction of
archaeological remains, or indirect, resulting from placing the substation in the
vicinity of a monument and affecting its visual setting.
Consideration should be given to the presence of any infrastructure such as radio
and television antennae and / or relays, airports and aerodromes, other projects,
generating plant or substations belonging to other electricity companies, deposits
of fuel or flammable material, dumps, military sites or any other infrastructure
that might impose limitations on the siting of the substation and the incoming
lines from other substations.
Enlarging on the points already made under the heading of fauna, the substation
should be sited outside and as far as possible from any areas listed as protected
natural sites, especially national and natural parks, or other listings of similar
2003-200-0005 10 March 2003