Suffolk leaders say pylon plans don't go far enough to protect the county's landscape
Plans would see cables run from Norwich to Tilbury via a substation near Ipswich
Last updated 8th Aug 2023
Council bosses in Suffolk say a plan for over 100 miles of new electricity pylons across the East still doesn't go far enough to protect Suffolk's landscapes.
In its latest response to the National Grid's 'East Anglia GREEN' project, Suffolk County Council says communities here must be treated fairly, if they're to support the plans.
It also reiterates that it expects the option of putting the cables offshore to be fully considered.
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Environment, said:
“The Council absolutely supports projects to help deliver the country’s energy security ambitions and meet the challenges of a changing climate.
“But if we are going to get behind projects like Norwich to Tilbury, our communities must be treated fairly and the impacts on them should be fully assessed. As it stands, the Council does not believe that NGET’s current proposals go far enough.
“First and foremost, we would expect an offshore solution to be fully researched. This would mean that most of the cabling and infrastructure would be out at sea, and not weaving its way over and under the Suffolk landscape.
“However, as a statutory consultee the Council is determined to use its influence to shape and improve the project, should it go ahead onshore.”
Plans would see cables run from Norwich to Tilbury via a substation near Ipswich - 33 miles of this would run through Suffolk, including a stretch under the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
National Grid says it needs to boost capacity across the region.