The project would see electricity pylons, with some cabling going underground, stretching from Norwich to Tilbury. 33 miles of this would run through Suffolk, including a stretch under the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Environment, said:
“The Council absolutely supports projects to help deliver the country’s energy security ambitions and meet the challenges of a changing climate.
“But if we are going to get behind projects like Norwich to Tilbury, our communities must be treated fairly and the impacts on them should be fully assessed. As it stands, the Council does not believe that NGET’s current proposals go far enough.
“First and foremost, we would expect an offshore solution to be fully researched. This would mean that most of the cabling and infrastructure would be out at sea, and not weaving its way over and under the Suffolk landscape.
“However, as a statutory consultee the Council is determined to use its influence to shape and improve the project, should it go ahead onshore.”
The other significant issues that the council outlines in its report are:
- the need for putting cables underground in the Waveney valley to protect the highly sensitive landscape to the west and south of Diss
- integration with smaller pylons across the whole project, especially around both Stowmarket and Diss
- a lack of fair and good quality engagement with local communities
- a lack of effective mitigation and compensation for communities
Councillor Rout continues:
“Our communities should be afforded the respect of proper communication, be treated fairly, and benefit from the co-ordination of the significant energy projects affecting our county.
“Currently, I don’t think energy developers are doing any of these things well enough – and that simply undermines any trust in a project amongst local residents and businesses.
“This consultation still has two weeks to run and I would encourage any local residents concerned by the proposals to respond before the deadline.”
Suffolk County Council’s report is in response to the second part of NGET’s non-statutory consultation, which closes on 21 August 2023.
