Suffolk leaders call for Government 'fairness' in plans for energy projects
Concerns have been raised about plans for solar farms, wind turbines and offshore wind farms
Suffolk County Council's teamed up with a number of local counties, to urge the Government and National Grid to be 'fair' to their communities and environment when planning new energy projects.
Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Lincolnshire all have Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) planned for their counties.
These are typically related to energy projects, including solar farms, wind turbines, pylons and the infrastructure associated offshore wind farms, such as substations and cabling.
These plans have proved controversial, with campaigners and local politicians raising concerns about the economic impact they'll have on local areas.
Now, Suffolk County Council's speaking out, sharing two of its main concerns:
• 'The uncoordinated approach to NSIPs - this is creating significant challenges for Suffolk’s rural communities under the current planning policy as applied by the planning inspectorate and Secretary of State'
• 'The government’s 2030 target for decarbonising the electricity grid – this is too hasty, making it impossible to deliver alternative solutions to pylon projects like Norwich to Tilbury'
"Fairness to our counties"
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, said: “Along with colleagues from neighbouring county councils, we are asking government and National Grid for fairness to our communities.
“Unbelievably, many energy projects are simply not being coordinated, even those proposed by the same umbrella organisation.
"This means upheaval for local communities, unnecessary infrastructure, construction and disruption – all of which is preventable, if only there was some organisation.
“Successful motions at our full council meeting last week (12 December 2024), saw references to the impacts that significant energy projects will likely bring to Suffolk – which are also felt across Essex, Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
"For example, many energy projects significantly threaten Suffolk’s best and most versatile farmland, our rural communities and landscape.”
"Threatening the food security, habitats, and natural beauty of our countryside and its communities"
Cllr Rout continued: “The government’s urgency to decarbonise the grid by 2030 is causing damaging decision-making and threatening the food security, habitats, and natural beauty of our countryside and its communities.
“It means the only solution for grid upgrades to projects like Norwich to Tilbury, are pylons. There are other viable alternatives, such as offshore or underground cabling.
"These options have still not been properly costed, despite what the government or National Grid may say, and are likely to prove more beneficial and efficient if given suitable consideration and time.”