National Grid's East Anglia pylon project branded 'lazy'

National Grid’s proposal for the 50-metre pylons to be installed across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk have met widespread backlash from residents and politicians alike.

The network will run south easterly past Washbrook and Copdock and East Bergholt until it crosses the border into the Colchester district, running underground past Dedham, Langham and crossing the A12.

Colchester Council’s cabinet has now formally objected to the high voltage plans which will run from Norwich to Tilbury.

Council leader David King said: “This proposal is causing deep concern to many residents, especially in north Colchester where the impact will be greatest.

Objection - David King (Image: Newsquest)

“We, of course, welcome the increase in renewable energy, however, the proposed onshore plans would mean large pylons dominating our landscape, having a negative impact on our countryside and biodiversity.

“I want to be clear, we share those concerns. This is a completely unacceptable and lazy proposal by National Grid, lacking evidence, costing or alternatives.

“Greater thought and protection must be included for our beautiful countryside and biodiversity.

“We have submitted a full consultation response from the council and stand by our objections. We want them to start afresh and ask that an offshore proposal be developed as a better less intrusive option.”

Scene - pylons on the Essex and Suffolk border

Andrea Luxford-Vaughan, the council’s planning boss, added she remains “deeply concerned” about the proposal, imploring National Grid to go back to the drawing board.

She said: “The adverse impact of the proposed scheme on our landscape and local amenity is huge.

“It is unacceptable to construct an entirely separate line of pylons west of the existing corridor and National Grid need to listen to the concerns that our residents and the experts in our planning team.

“More research is also needed into the health side effects of the electromagnetic fields created by these cables.

Liam Walker, project director at East Anglia GREEN previously told the Gazette: “National policy sets out that in most cases overhead cables are an appropriate solution but, of course, we understand that landscape and visual impacts are an issue”.