Current Works & Reporting Concerns
Page updated: September 2026
Residents may already have seen National Grid and its contractors carrying out activity associated with Sea Link around Minster, Pegwell Bay and the surrounding area.
It is important to understand the distinction between these works and the main Sea Link project.
Sea Link itself has NOT yet received development consent.
The Secretary of State is not expected to decide whether to grant the Sea Link Development Consent Order until 30th October 2026.
However, National Grid has obtained separate permissions allowing certain archaeological and ground-investigation activities to take place before that decision.
Some of these activities are considerably more intrusive than residents might ordinarily associate with the word “survey”.
Archaeological excavation
From August 2026, National Grid began archaeological excavation on land close to the proposed converter-station site near Minster.
Separate planning permission for these works was granted by Thanet District Council on 13th August 2026.
National Grid describes the work as involving machinery removing and storing soil, followed by archaeologists inspecting, recording and removing archaeological features which are uncovered.
The affected areas are intended to be reinstated once the excavations are complete.
These are therefore physical excavation works rather than simply visual surveys or people walking across the land.
Ground investigations and boreholes
National Grid is also carrying out ground investigations on land close to the proposed converter-station site.
A separate Lawful Development Certificate was granted on 11th August 2026 for ground-investigation and geoarchaeological works.
Part of this work is intended to identify possible unexploded ordnance (UXO).
National Grid says specialist equipment is being used to check the ground for signs of potential unexploded ordnance.
This involves a magnetometer probe being hydraulically pushed into the ground through a series of small boreholes or piles.
National Grid states that this particular investigation does not involve excavating or removing any potential unexploded ordnance which may be identified.
Other surveys
A variety of other surveys have also been undertaken in preparation for Sea Link.
These have included soil and drainage surveys, public-right-of-way surveys, ecological work and offshore and coastal marine investigations.
At Pegwell Bay, drone magnetometry commenced from 18th August 2026 to investigate for potential unexploded ordnance within the intertidal area.
The survey team accesses the intertidal area during low tide to undertake this work.
Does this mean Sea Link has already been approved?
No.
The main Sea Link Development Consent Order has not yet been determined.
National Grid's position is that the current archaeological, geoarchaeological and ground-investigation activities have their own permissions and are separate from construction of the Sea Link project itself.
However, the scale and timing of works taking place before the main decision have caused concern locally.
Some residents and elected representatives have questioned whether activity of this nature should be taking place before the Secretary of State has determined the DCO.
Sir Roger Gale MP, whose constituency includes Minster and other areas affected by Sea Link, has publicly raised concerns about works taking place before the DCO decision and has described them as preparatory works.
He raised the matter with the Prime Minister on 1st September 2026.
Concerns have also been raised by Thanet CPRE about activity taking place before determination of the main Sea Link application.
Those are concerns expressed by those organisations and representatives.
Cliffsend Parish Council cannot state that separately authorised works constitute unauthorised construction of Sea Link without evidence that this is the case.
We do, however, recognise residents' concerns about the nature, scale and timing of activity taking place before the main Sea Link decision.
Seen something which concerns you?
If you see Sea Link-related activity which causes concern, it can be useful to make a simple record of what happened.
Record the date, approximate time and location, what you saw taking place and what the actual concern or impact was.
That could include excessive noise, construction traffic, mud or debris on the road, dust, access problems, activity at unexpected times or concerns about the nature or location of the works.
Where it can be done safely from a public place, photographs can also provide a useful record.
Details of contractor/company names or vehicle registrations may also help identify the activity involved.
Please do not enter working areas or private land, or put yourself at risk in order to obtain photographs or information.
Contact National Grid
Questions and complaints about National Grid's works or its contractors can be raised directly with the Sea Link project team.
Telephone: 0808 134 9569
Post: FREEPOST SEA LINK
National Grid also provides online contact arrangements and a WhatsApp announcements channel for updates about works taking place in Kent.
If making a complaint, we recommend retaining a copy of any correspondence and the complaint or reference number you are given.
Planning concerns
If you believe activity may be taking place outside the scope of an existing planning permission or contrary to a planning condition, this can be reported to Thanet District Council's Planning Enforcement service.
Cliffsend Parish Council cannot determine whether a planning breach has occurred. That is a matter for the Local Planning Authority to investigate.
Click here to contact TDC Planning Enforcement
Tell the Parish Council too
We would also encourage Cliffsend residents to let the Parish Council know about significant or recurring problems associated with Sea Link activity.
The Parish Council does not have planning-enforcement powers and cannot order National Grid or its contractors to stop separately authorised works.
What we can do is identify recurring issues, seek explanations, raise concerns with National Grid and relevant authorities and use residents' experiences when representing Cliffsend.