29km pylon route between Suffolk and Essex villages approved
Local leaders have previously objected to the plans, saying the impact on the countryside is too great
Plans to build a series of pylons between two villages in Suffolk and Essex have been approved.
29 kilometres of pylons and cabling will stretch between Bramford and Twinstead - with National Grid saying the power line route is vital to ensuring the UK benefits from clean energy projects.
More specifically, the project will see 18 km of overhead lines and around 11 km of underground cable through the Dedham Vale National Landscape and in the Stour Valley.
Following the announcement yesterday (12th September) that the application was approved by the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Suffolk County Council said it was 'confident' that the project will have 'significant implications on other Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) across the country'.
The local authority also released a statement: "Despite objecting to the Bramford to Twinstead pylon application, the county council’s influence throughout the process has led to the Secretary of State acknowledging the importance of the role of local authorities - by requiring their approval of National Grid’s detailed construction and environmental management plans as part of the process prior to work starting.
"Following points made by the county council during the examination process, the Secretary of State has agreed that National Grid should not wield so much control over the delivery of the project, recognising instead that local authorities are integral to the proper and fair delivery of NSIPs."
"I’m pleased with this council’s influence"
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, said: “Whilst not a perfect proposal, and one which the council did feel the need object to, I’m pleased with this council’s influence in setting some precedents for future infrastructure projects.
“The recognition of the role of this council, and others like us, sends a strong message to National Grid and other project promoters, that they cannot just do as they wish.
“My hope is that other projects sit up and take note – protecting local communities is of paramount importance, something we continually fight for.”
Why had Suffolk County Council objected?
The county council had formally objected to the application, arguing that National Grid had failed to adequately safeguard Suffolk’s environment and communities affected by the scheme.
It also suggested that proposals did not go far enough to mitigate the impact of the scheme, and that supervision of construction would be inadequate.
Cllr Rout continued: “Although we would still prefer to see better mitigations with this project, I feel this is a step in the right direction and hopefully sees an end to project promoters thinking they can have a free-for-all approach and ignore local authorities.
“With such a barrage of projects from solar farms to pylons, substations to interconnectors, all wanting a piece of Suffolk, it is our duty to stand with our communities to protect our residents, businesses and our historic, beautiful and environmentally-rich county.”