CAMPAIGNERS have accused the Government of “patronising” Essex residents by offering them £250 to make up for huge pylons being built near their homes reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Homes within 500 metres of a long line of pylons planned between Norfolk and Tilbury could receive a government discount of about £250 a year on their energy bills.
However, campaigners have said that money is simply a “sweetener” and that proper compensation should be offered.
Essex County Council is among several councils opposing a National Grid plan to build a 183km long line of pylons, each 50 metres tall, across the East of England, including a large stretch in Essex.
They say the plans would harm the countryside and, in some cases, ‘seriously undermine’ major housing developments such as Dunton Hills Garden Village in Brentwood, which already has planning approval from the local council.
The plan for the garden village, with its 3,700 homes and four schools, is right in the way of the National Grid’s proposed line of pylons. The new village is a significant part of Brentwood Borough Council’s future housing plan but has been in limbo ever since National Grid announced its plan for the pylons in 2022.
Elsewhere in Essex, people in Chelmsford worry the pylons could threaten an ancient settlement near Little and Great Waltham. It’s thought the settlement could be as old as Stonehenge, but the pylons could carve through it as it does not have a protected status.
Rosie Pearson, chairman of the Community Planning Alliance and founder of Pylons East Anglia, said: “It’s patronising, poorly thought out and doesn’t solve any problems at all.
“It won’t speed up the infrastructure, which is what it’s meant to do, because no one thinks it’s a good idea. It will simply add to consumers’ bills. What they should do instead is look at the various alternatives to pylons that are cheaper and better and they should fully compensate people when they’re out of pocket – not just give token gestures.
“We are looking at full compensation so if people can’t sell their house they need to have their house bought off them at full market price. If a business is impacted then it has to be fully compensated.
“They’re confused. These are benefits, not compensation, and they’re flipping between the two words. It’s a sweetener.”
The potential offer comes as major infrastructure projects, including new roads, bypasses, and railway lines, will be accelerated under a major shake-up to planning processes.
The landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill, introduced in Parliament this week, will set out how the delivery process for critical infrastructure will be streamlined to boost growth.
Ministers will also press ahead with reforms to current laws to speed up delivery and scale back bureaucracy.
I seem to remember how when they were talking about Basildon new town, how it would affect the local villages (Which it did); How many would want to go back to the local cottage style hospitals and country living ( I know some would).
Basildon has grown to be much larger than the original vision, is that what some people are scared of; their way of life being swallowed up, while they take advantage of the facilities the ‘NEW’ towns have to offer.
Has it improved the Area?, How many people from the local villages go to Basildon to get their shopping,or have a few hours pleasure
Rose coloured glasses are wonderful things,