AN area heavily impacted by huge pylons being planned across East Anglia could see deprivation slide further because of the transition to green energy it is meant to support, Tendring District Council has said reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
In its submission to the National Grid’s Norwich to Tilbury power line plan consultation Tendering Council said that it would expect to see a significant package of funding commitments to fill gaps in green energy skills if agreed.
The area will be one of the most affected by the plans which include a new 400kV substation in Ardlegh where the power lines from the proposed North Falls Offshore Windfarm and Five Estuaries Offshore Windfarm – both of which are to be located off the Tendring coast – will connect to the grid.
In a statement to National Grid the council said: “In terms of delivering social value the council expect to see legacy funding for the lifetime of the project to ensure current and future generations of Tendring residents can reap the benefits of employment in the green energy sector.
“Thus a significant package of legacy funding commitments to fill the gaps in green energy skills starting with education and moving up onto training and employment will be requested.
“Social value has particular relevance in Tendring where there is a high danger that the transition to green energy and the positives around it in principle, could exacerbate existing deprivation issues in particular locations thus making it socially unjust.”
The council has reiterated its point, along with other councils along the route, that they believe the best option would be to run an undersea cable around the coast to Tilbury.
The council’s submission added: “The council would expect to see community benefits that are tangible and genuinely impact the lives of those who will be blighted by these proposals should they be accepted.
“In line with the council’s own forthcoming planning policies to promote active travel and improve people’s health and social outcomes, the council will want to explore investment in the district’s strategic cycle infrastructure, particularly along the coast affected by the offshore elements of the associated Five Estuaries and North Falls schemes enabling both commutable and leisure routes.
“This will support our residents in accessing existing infrastructure by being able to make active travel choices they will also support our leisure and tourism strategic aims.”
Councillor Zoe Fairley said at a Tendring Council planning meeting on July 23: “It’s really important to recognise that due to the process of Five Estuaries, North Falls and then separately National Grid economic damage is happening in this district now, at this point, not in the future when permissions come.”
