Fears over pylon plan for Lincolnshire coast

Fears have been raised that the east coast of Lincolnshire, near an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, could become covered in power pylons.

East Lindsey District Council said it had met the National Grid to discuss a line of pylons running from Grimsby to Boston, past the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Councillors said the 50 mile (80.5 km) route was to take power from offshore wind farms would harm tourism.

National Grid said it was exploring all options and no decision had been made.

Planning portfolio holder, Councillor Neil Cooper, said National Grid had revealed its preferred option. "We have been told the only viable connection would be by overhead cable.

"Overhead cables would be suspended from pylons and the cable route would run from Grimsby, through the Marsh down to Bicker Fen near Boston."

'Disastrous for district'

Council leader Doreen Stephenson emphasised tourism was worth half a billion pounds to the area.

"It would be disastrous for the district, both the inland market towns as well as the coastal aspects.

"Tourism is one of our main industries and to have pylons dotted about all over it would be totally out of character, not what visitors want to see and it would ruin our business opportunities."

The authority also said it feared the pylons would lead to more industrialisation of the area, with extra substations and more wind farms.

In a statement the National Grid said: "National Grid have not made any decisions on how the offshore wind farms are to be connected to the national grid.

"We will consult with statutory consultees and the general public when we have viable options to take forward."