Two of Suffolk County Council’s main concerns, shared with the other counties, are:
- 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
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.”
Suffolk County Council has had a longstanding position to support the need for low carbon energy to provide energy security for the country, and the progress to net zero – but not at any cost.
Cllr Rout continues:
“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.”
