Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the minimum safe permitted distance between residential and office buildings and (1) high voltage transmission wires, and (2) electrical equipment such as battery energy storage units.

Government does not prescribe a minimum separation between occupied buildings, such as homes and offices, and electricity transmission lines or battery energy storage units. However, for battery energy storage units Planning Practice Guidance advises applicants and planning authorities to consider National Fire Chiefs Council guidance, which recommends an initial 30-metre distance before mitigations are considered. For electricity transmission lines appropriate separation distances are determined on a case-by-case basis through compliance with applicable safety requirements, relevant planning and consenting considerations, and site-specific assessments.