Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex councils express concerns over National Grid pylons plan
The 112 mile network of pylons would stretch from Norwich to Tilbury, via a Suffolk substation
Last updated 30th Jun 2023
Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council and Essex County Council have united to share their concerns on National Grid's plans for a 112 mile network of pylons that would stretch from Norwich to Tilbury, via a Suffolk substation.
They will run underground through the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Essex-Suffolk border.
The network of pylons would carry offshore windfarm-generated electricity.
It comes as National Grid has opened its consultation to anyone wishing to comment on its Norwich to Tilbury proposal, previously known as East Anglia Green.
The consultation is open to residents, landowners, businesses and any individuals or groups that may be interested in commenting on the revised proposals.
Essex County Council, Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council are also being consulted on the proposals as statutory consultees.
All three councils have already raised concerns to the initial consultation undertaken last year.
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Environment, said:
“We must be looking to a coordinated offshore centred approach to energy transmission in the UK. Given our long-term energy security goals and the infrastructure that will be required, simply installing more pylons, and digging trenches cannot be the only viable solution.
"There must be wide-ranging improvements made to the plans"
"We will continue to stand strong on behalf of all the communities who will be affected by these proposals.
“If Norwich to Tilbury is to proceed, there must be wide-ranging improvements made to the plans, particularly with more undergrounding in the Waveney and Gipping valleys and clear benefits for, and fair engagement with, our communities.”
Cllr Lesley Wagland OBE, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said:
“We have continued to work with our city, district and borough councils and neighbouring county councils of Norfolk and Suffolk to discuss the Norwich to Tilbury project.
“We remain fully committed to our net-zero ambitions and fully appreciate this involves building the infrastructure to connect renewable energy sources to the National Grid.
"However, we and our partner councils believe this can be far better, and sustainably, achieved by viable alternative means, and without the detrimental impact to our residents, businesses and the local environment that would be caused by the current proposals.”
Councillor Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said:
“While fully supporting the offshore wind energy sector and decarbonising the electricity transmission network, Norfolk County Council feel that alternative options to overhead power lines need to be fully investigated.
"In particular, the County Council, in line with our recently endorsed Climate Strategy, strongly feel that an offshore transmission option needs further consideration by both National Grid and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.”
What does National Grid say?
Liam Walker, Project Director for Norwich to Tilbury, commented: “The government’s net zero target means an increase in new renewable electricity generation such as offshore wind power.
“We’re proposing new infrastructure that will connect this green energy to the grid and allow clean electricity to power homes and businesses across East Anglia and the UK, boosting our home-grown energy security and progress towards net zero.
“The feedback we received in last year’s initial consultation has been valuable in helping us to further shape our proposals. This latest consultation is another part of our engagement with communities and stakeholders along the proposed route and we encourage people to share their views on the updated proposals.”