TWO farmers have criticised a national power distribution company’s forthcoming plan to put up numerous pylons throughout the rural Essex countryside.

Robert Strathern, who farms land in Fordham and Wormingford, and Stephen March, who tends to plots in West Bergholt and Little Horkesley, have condemned the National Grid’s Norwich To Tilbury project.

The initiatve is part of a green energy scheme for the east of England which National Grid deems is “needed urgently” to give homes and businesses in East Anglia access to “more affordable, clean electricity.”

The plans will see pylons installed along a 110-mile route from Norwich to Tilbury, with some being put up in Washbrook, Copdock, East Bergholt and beyond.

Mr Strathern farms more than 1,500 acres of land, alongside an additional 1,000 acres of land which is specifically set aside to grow potatoes which later get used as Fairfield Crisps.

He says National Grid's project will see a segment of his land, which is part of a countryside scheme supporting the growth of wildlife, directly interrupted.

“All our land within the proposed pylons route is part of a countryside stewardship scheme which encourages wildlife and biodiversity to flourish," he said.

“There are numerous areas of the farm dedicated to this scheme which are drilled with cover crops for wildlife.

“The pylons will cut straight through these areas and will seriously disrupt and likely destroy these habitats, including all wildlife within them.”

Mr March, meanwhile, has been a farmer for more than 30 years and believes the installation of the pylons would greatly impact not only the local environment but the rich wildlife ecosystem on the land.

He said: “We too have some of our land in a government-sponsored stewardship scheme to help preserve nature and wildlife – including low nitrogen grassland, hedgerow management, wildflower rich areas and winter wild bird food.

“We now have established breeding populations of birds of prey, including kites, owls and kestrels. Deer, badgers and foxes can often be seen on these fields.

“The Norwich to Tilbury project is planned to go right through the middle of our farm.

"The underground section of 650 metres will cover an area of over 10 acres during construction.

“All trees and hedges in its path will be destroyed and replanting won’t be allowed over these cables.”

Colchester City Council’s leader, David King, has previously stated the council’s opposition to the plan.