The government is stating that we must focus on generating cheaper, cleaner power in Great Britain. Rapid deployment of low-carbon electricity is essential to drive a systematic transformation across the economy to deliver renewable energy and ensure long-term energy security. Building the network of the future requires infrastructure to be delivered efficiently 鈥� in a timely, cost-effective and fair manner.
Land access, rights and consent
Land rights involve securing the permission of landowners and/or occupiers to access, use or acquire land for the construction and/or maintenance of network assets.
Consenting refers to obtaining planning permission from the government to build or maintain electricity network infrastructure.
Desnz says it is vital that both processes protect the rights of landowners, local stakeholders and the environment, while also enabling the timely delivery of important infrastructure.
To ensure the system is fit for purpose, the government has reviewed existing processes to assess whether they are sufficient to support the government's clean power ambitions, Net Zero goals, and energy security transformation. This consultation is the result of that review and proposes a range of reforms to these processes to enable the rapid deployment of future network connections while ensuring that the rights of landowners are respected.
Land Access and Consents Working Group
There was a call for evidence in 2022 and following this, the government established a Land Access and Consents Working Group (the 鈥榃orking Group鈥�) to act as a forum for generating and appraising ideas to improve land access and consenting processes. The Working Group met six times between April 2024 and May 2025. The group considered a range of measures which the NFU was part of and many of the measures are set out in detail below within the consultation.
The consultations
These changes may affect landowners, businesses, and communities 鈥� especially where new infrastructure could impact land use or day-to-day operations. That鈥檚 why we want to hear directly from you.
This important consultation is your opportunity to help shape a fairer, more transparent process and balances the need for clean power with respect for those whose land and livelihoods may be affected.
The consultation is asking questions in regard to changing certain rights and consents for particular processes which have to be followed and applied for electricity network infrastructure by distribution and transmission electricity companies.
Please use all, or any, of the five surveys in the boxes below to help us with our response. These shorter surveys reflect the sections in the larger Desnz survey (link below).聽
We will also be talking to members across the regions.
As well as helping us formulate our response, you can also take part in the (deadline 2 September 2025).