Controversial plans to help meet net zero targets by siting pylons through 114 miles of East Anglia countryside have been formally submitted.

After more than three years of consultation and debate National Grid has now submitted its application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Planning Inspectorate for the Norwich to Tilbury project, a scheme fiercely opposed by local communities, MPs and other stakeholders over its environmental and landscape impacts.

Suffolk County Council has already voiced its opposition, arguing the required upgrade to capacity should not be should not be decided by what it called ‘the cheapest and fastest solution’.

The scheme is intended to boost electricity capacity across East Anglia, part of The Great Grid Upgrade of 17 major infrastructure projects in England and Wales.

National Grid says the projects are vital to increase Britain’s energy security.

Project director Simon Pepper said: “This project will connect our homes, businesses and public services to sources of home-grown British energy which will lower our electricity bills in the long-term and make us more energy independent.

“We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in consultations held on the proposals. Listening to people is a key part of developing a project and we’ve made hundreds of changes based on what we’ve heard. 

“Community feedback has been vital in informing our final plans, which also include a commitment to working with local and national wildlife experts to leave lasting benefits and strong protections for local wildlife and habitats.

“Our application submission marks a significant milestone for the Norwich to Tilbury project, which continues to be an essential part of the UK’s transition towards a cleaner energy future, by helping to connect renewable and low carbon energy to homes and businesses across the UK.”

He said he expects local communities to gain from cash made available from the scheme.

But Cllr Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for devolution, local government reorganisation and NSIPs, said: “In its current guise, the Norwich to Tilbury pylon project is not suitable. The less damaging alternatives, such as offshore transmission or high voltage direct current undergrounding, have never been fully considered.

“Such a significant and impactful project should not be determined simply for being the cheapest and fastest solution. The Hiorns Report concluded that proposals were premature and would not be needed until the mid-2030s.

“When the full details of National Grid’s application are published next month, we hope they reflect many of the concerns raised by us, and local communities, from consultations and discussions.

“We have highlighted the need for numerous local mitigations, issues around airfields, construction traffic, public rights of way, removal of existing pylon lines, the list goes on.

“For example, we consider there to be a robust case for undergrounding where the line crosses the Waveney Valley – only to be told earlier this year, that this was not going to happen, and that was that without any alternative mitigation proposed.”

If the application is successful, construction would likely begin in 2027 and take around four years.

© Eastern Echo (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).

Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here.