Pylons project would ‘devastate’ special Suffolk landscapes, councils warn

National Grid proposes 159km of new overhead lines between Norwich to Tilbury, with the route cutting through the Suffolk countryside. 

It includes 21km of underground cabling, including some through the Dedham Vale national landscape, and up to seven new compounds to connect underground sections to overhead lines.

Public hearings of initial statements from interested parties are being heard this week. 

At a hearing today in Ipswich, both councils called for a delay to the project so other options can be considered and costed – such as an undersea route or undergrounding of the entire length of the project. 

They cite serious concerns about the impact on the environment, communities and businesses.

Babergh District Council leader, Cllr John Ward, told the hearing: “The landscape of the district is highly valued, with the National Landscape designation, many cultural and historic associations, and sensitive views that contribute to the unique character of Babergh district and the wider region. These are views that have been immortalised by Constable and Gainsborough. 

“The applicant states the project will have significant adverse landscape and visual impacts which are not considered to be adequately mitigated or compensated.”

He said the impact on the Dedham Vale National Landscape will be particularly devastating with a wide swathe cut through one of the most beautiful and historic parts of the region.

Cllr Ward said: “Of course, grid reinforcement is necessary and all options have impacts – residents do understand that. But we have never had a proper national debate about the trade-offs between costs and impacts of all the new energy projects.”

Cllr Andrew Stringer, Mid Suffolk’s cabinet member for heritage, planning and infrastructure, told the hearing that the transmission network is likely to be sufficient until 2035 – so there was time to explore other options.

He said: “This project, in its current form, will threaten food production, devastate biodiversity, and will decimate local tourism and impoverish our unique heritage.”

There are particular concerns regarding the cumulative effects of energy infrastructure development around the Bramford substation, he added.

Cllr Stringer said: “Mid Suffolk has a unique character, and already has a north to south national grid pylon route, that was more than doubled in capacity in recent years.

“In the transition to cleaner energy Mid Suffolk will more than play its part, but as with all transitions if the changes are not seen to be just, this essential transition could be delayed, or even fail.”