31Overhead lines
(1)Section 37(1) of the Electricity Act 1989 (which requires the consent of the Secretary of State in relation to overhead lines) does not apply in relation to an electric line where—
(a)the line is installed above land within the Act limits, and
(b)the installation of the line—
(i)is a work authorised by this Act, and
(ii)has deemed planning permission under section 20(1).
(2)Where section 37(1) of the Electricity Act 1989 applies in relation to an electric line—
(a)the installation of which is a work authorised by this Act, or
(b)which is installed, or is to be installed, for the purposes of, in connection with or in consequence of the construction of any work authorised by this Act,
Schedule 8 to that Act (procedure for obtaining consent) has effect as if paragraph 2(2) (public inquiry to be held where planning authority object to consent application) were omitted.
(3)The installation of an electric line by a person other than the nominated undertaker is to be treated for the purposes of subsection (1)—
(a)as a work authorised by this Act, and
(b)as having deemed planning permission under section 20(1),
if, were it carried out by the nominated undertaker, it would be a work authorised by this Act and would have such permission.
(4)The installation of an electric line for the purposes of, in connection with or in consequence of the construction of any work authorised by this Act does not require consent under the Planning Act 2008 (development consent).
(5)In this section, “electric line” has the same meaning as in Part 1 of the Electricity Act 1989 (see section 64 of that Act).