Western Gas Network Project

Essential upgrades and new gas transmission infrastructure

About the Western Gas Network project

Essential upgrades and new gas transmission infrastructure

National Gas brings energy to life by getting heat, light and power to people’s homes and businesses. We own and operate the national gas network, delivering energy to where it is needed in every part of the country. We are committed to playing a leading role in the transition to a clean energy future that works for every home and business.

The recent reduction in global gas supplies has created unprecedented uncertainty for energy markets. As we explore new ways to ensure energy security and change the way we operate, we must continue to bring energy to life through transformational engineering which delivers what households and businesses need. 

Where our gas comes from right now is changing, with imports via Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals increasing.  

National Gas needs to respond to these changes. We balance the supply of gas in Great Britain and ensure the UK’s gas transmission network – the pipes and compressors that propel gas around the country – can accommodate the changing nature of supply. We connect sources of supply to large industry and Gas Distribution Networks who in turn supply homes and businesses. 

Gas can also help to decarbonise heat, the biggest source of UK carbon emissions, at the lowest cost and with the least disruption to consumers. Our journey towards decarbonisation must be achieved while maintaining security of supply and providing energy at the lowest cost to consumers. 

As we continue our journey towards a decarbonised energy future, gas-fired power stations alongside other balancing mechanisms will be required to meet the variability associated with renewables.

Project overview 

On the western part of our network, enhancing energy security means we need to increase capacity to accommodate more gas from Milford Haven Aggregated System Entry Point (ASEP). We currently anticipate that all project work be complete by 2025.

How we achieve this increase in capacity is important – construction has environmental and community impacts, and the cost of the work is met by households and businesses through energy bills. 

A thorough and detailed analysis of our network revealed the option with the least amount of new infrastructure, the least impact on people and the environment, at the least cost. It represents the best value for UK consumers. 

The work, collectively known as the Western Gas Network Upgrade, involves:  

  • 9km of new pipeline between Wormington (Gloucestershire) and Honeybourne (Worcestershire) and 2km of new pipeline in Churchover (Warwickshire) 
  • Pressure uprating of the existing pipeline between Milford Haven (Pembrokeshire) and Three Cocks (Powys)   
  • Related works at existing National Gas sites in South Wales and England to facilitate the pressure uprating, connection of new pipelines and effective compression at existing stations

Because the new pipelines will be underground and we’re upgrading existing infrastructure, much of the work can be done under permitted development. We do need consent from local authorities for some parts of the project and to work with landowners whose property will host the infrastructure. We’d also like to engage with local politicians, residents and businesses - their feedback will help us to design construction activity in the most appropriate way. We’re aiming to start construction in 2024, with preparatory work beginning in Autumn 2023.

Project documents
CPO Inquiry

Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) documents and maps

On 23 November 2023 National Gas received confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order for Western Gas Network Project granted by the Secretary of State. 

Notice of the Secretary of State’s decision, has also been published on the government’s “Energy infrastructure development applications: decisions” Gov.UK page, which can be located here 

On 20 October 2022 National Grid Gas Plc (“National Grid”) made the National Grid Gas Plc (Western Gas Network Project) Compulsory Purchase Order 2022 to enable it to compulsorily acquire the land and new rights required for the construction and operation of a new 9km section of gas pipeline between Wormington (Gloucestershire) and Honeybourne (Worcestershire); a new 2km section of gas pipeline in Churchover (Warwickshire); works to facilitate pressure uprating of the existing gas pipeline between Felindre (Swansea) and Three Cocks (Powys) and Cilfrew (Neath Port Talbot); and associated works to existing above ground installations (“the Project”).

A copy of the notice confirming the making of the CPO has been served on all those with an interest in the land included in the CPO, displayed on site and published in local newspapers. A copy can be viewed here:

Download public notice

A copy of the CPO, the Maps which show the land included in the CPO, and the Statement of Reasons which explains why the CPO has been made, and the documents referred to in it, are available to view below:

Download CPO

Download CPO Maps

Download Statement of Reasons (English) 

Download Statement of Reasons (Welsh)

Following objections made to the CPO a public inquiry was held on 9th May 2023. 

At the inquiry an Inspector heard evidence from National Gas and the remaining objectors before making a recommendation to the Secretary of State about whether the CPO should be confirmed. With a confirmed Order, National Gas will have powers available to it to compulsorily acquire the land and rights needed for the Project.

National Gas Transmission Plc have requested that the Order is modified to remove the land at Cilfrew, which is no longer needed for the project.

National Gas’ Statement of Case and the Core Documents that were presented at the inquiry are available to view below.

Further detail on the compulsory purchase process can be found in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Guidance on Compulsory Purchase Process and The Crichel Down Rules (July 2019), which is available to view and download for free online.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has also produced booklets and guidance on how the compulsory purchase process works entitled "Compulsory Purchase and Compensation" listed below:

Booklet No. 1 - Compulsory Purchase Procedure.

Booklet No. 2 - Compensation to Business Owners and Occupiers.

Booklet No. 3 - Compensation to Agricultural Owners and Occupiers.

Booklet No. 4 - Compensation for Residential Owners and Occupiers.

The booklets are available to view and download for free online.

If you would more information about the CPO or the Project please contact National Gas’s appointed land agents, Fisher German (Joe Senior) by telephone on 07817119488 or by e-mail to [email protected].

Unsealed electronic copies of the CPO and Maps are available here for ease of viewing on this platform.

National Gas’ Statement of Case and the Core Documents that will be relied upon at the inquiry are available to view below.

In accordance with Rule 15 of the Compulsory Purchase (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 2007, the National Gas’ Statements of Evidence were served on PINS, PINS Cymru, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and the remaining objectors on 18 April 2023, copies of which are available to view below.

Name
A.5. Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended)
A.6.1. Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended) Schedule 2, Part 4, Class A
A.6.2. Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended) Schedule 2, Part 17, Class F
A.7.1. Human Rights Act 1998 Section 6
A.8.1. Utilities Act 2000 Section 3
A.9.1. Compulsory Purchase (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 2007 Rule 7
A.10.1. Equality Act 2010 Section 149
A.11.1. Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
A.12.1. Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 Schedule 2, Part 4, Class A
A.12.2. Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 Schedule 2, Part 15, Class A
A.13. National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) (July 2011)
A.14. National Policy Statement for Gas Supply Infrastructure and Gas and Oil Pipelines (EN-4) (July 2011)
A.15. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Guidance on Compulsory Purchase process and The Crichel Down Rules (July 2019)
A.16. Draft replacement of the National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) (September 2021)
A.17. Draft replacement of the National Policy Statement for Gas Supply Infrastructure and Gas and Oil Pipelines (EN-4) (September 2021)
B.1. BEIS Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Opinion
B.2. Environmental Impact Assessment Letter from Swansea Council dated 16 March 2021 (Felindre)
B.3. Environmental Impact Assessment Letter from Neath Port Talbot Council dated 30 March 2021 (Cilfrew)
B.4. Environmental Impact Assessment Letter from Powys County Council dated 15 March 2022 (Three Cocks)
B.5. Planning permission granted on 8 August 2022 and given reference number R22/0130 for “Extension to National Grid’s existing above ground installation (AGI) site at Churchover Tee”

View our animations

Learn more about our project and how we work with communities

Where does your gas come from?

View our short film to find out.

Working with communities

Learn more about our project and how we work with communities.

Building our gas network

Find out how we build and maintain our essential gas network.

Project timeline

Find out what we're doing and when

Wormington to Honeybourne pipeline

Find out more about our work in this area

Churchover pipeline

Find out more about our work in this area

Upgrading our existing network

Find out about improvements we're making to existing assets

What is net zero?

Read our simple explanation

Future Grid

FutureGrid is an ambitious programme which seeks to build a hydrogen test facility in Northern England

Liquid Natural Gas (LNG)

Find out what LNG is and why we need it.

Future Energy Scenarios

Find out more about how the future of energy might look.

Network maps

Find out more about the UK’s gas transmission network.