Plans for 29km stretch of power lines move forward

A 29km stretch of pylons and cables would run between Suffolk and Essex if approved

Plans for a 29km (18 mile) stretch of power lines between two villages will be decided on in the next six months.

The pylons and cabling would run between Bramford, Suffolk, and Twinstead, Essex.

National Grid said it needed to build a "network reinforcement" between the two villages to support the UK's move to net zero.

Richard Rout, the deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and environment at Suffolk County Council, said the project was "unacceptable".

If approved the area would see 18km (11.1 miles) of overhead lines and about 11km (6.8 miles) of underground cables between the two villages.

The Planning Inspectorate has concluded its examination period for the proposal and now has three months to prepare a report for Claire Coutinho, the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero.

Ms Coutinho will then have a further three months to decide whether to approve the plans.

National Grid said that while the region's existing high-voltage network has been sufficient, it does not have the capability to "reliably and securely transport all energy that will be connected by 2030".

"Strengthening the network here is vital to deliver cleaner, greener electricity efficiently, reliably, and safely and to support the UK’s move to net zero," it added.

'Unacceptable precedent'

Suffolk County Council said it felt the proposals "do not go far enough to mitigate the impact of the scheme" while supervision of the scheme would be "inadequate".

Mr Rout said: "We are very concerned about the shortcomings of the proposal.

"It does not provide us, or other local authorities, with adequate powers to protect the interests of our communities or environment during the construction of the project.

"This sets a wholly unacceptable precedent for other National Grid projects in Suffolk."

Mr Rout added the council was "left with no choice but to object" to the plans.