Campaigner calls pylon cash incentive 'patronising'

Rosie Pearson is fighting plans for pylons to be built in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk

A campaigner fighting plans for new pylons said the government's offer of money off energy bills was "patronising".

Households within 500m of new or upgraded pylons will get discounts of up to £2,500 over 10 years, equivalent to £250 a year.

The government said such incentives could help reduce opposition and delays to new projects, which it says are needed to deliver more clean energy.

However, Rosie Pearson, founder of the Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons action group, said home and business owners deserved "full compensation" instead.

About 114 miles (180km) of pylons could be built between Tilbury in Essex and Norwich

"It's incredibly patronising and a really poorly thought-through proposal," she said.

"People are hugely out of pocket because of these pylons - and that's the problem that needs solving - not trying to bribe us or entice us to like a bad project."

Ms Pearson described the incentive as a "token gesture" and said the government should consider alternative options to pylons.

National Grid wants to install 114 miles (180km) of pylons between Tilbury in Essex and Norwich to carry electricity produced by offshore wind farms.

It is due submit an application to the Planning Inspectorate later this year and, if approved, construction on the power line would start in 2027 and be fully operational by 2031.

The project is part of The Great Grid Upgrade, which National Grid described as "the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations".

The power line would be used to carry electricity produced by offshore wind farms

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the government's Planning and Infrastructure Bill would "slash energy bills for local people living near new projects, so they benefit as we drive forward in our mission to achieve a more prosperous and energy secure future for the next generation".

The idea of giving people living near new pylons money off their energy bills was also proposed under the previous Conservative government.

A government survey in 2024 suggested 78% of people would find an energy infrastructure project more acceptable if they were offered discounts on their bills.

Some energy companies already offer bill discounts to customers who live near infrastructure like wind turbines, while grants are also available for local communities affected.

The bill discounts, which will be funded by electricity suppliers, are expected to be in place from 2026.