Essex County Council raises concerns over National Grid’s pylon plans

ESSEX County Council has reiterated its concerns about National Grid’s proposal to install 100 miles of pylons between Norwich and Tilbury.

At the end of November, the council submitted further objections to the Planning Inspectorate.

These include the impact the pylons would have on Dunton Hills Garden Village. This is a major development in Brentwood that will deliver 4,000 new homes. National Grid’s proposed route runs close to this site.

The council has already provided evidence to National Grid about this site. The evidence showed that pylons so close to the development could harm housing and land values. However, the final plans still lack detail on how this will be mitigated.

The council also warns that the pylons could affect affordable housing and essential infrastructure for the garden village.

In its latest submission the council states a number of concerns. These include:

There is an unrealistic delivery deadline. Completing the project by 2030 is overly ambitious. It will put significant pressure on communities and the highways network.
Offshore alternatives have not been fully explored or costed.
There is a lack of social value and compensation plans. There is still no substantial detail on how affected communities will benefit.
The plans do not address the additional road capacity needed to transport materials and access installation sites.
The council supports the transition to cleaner energy. However, it believes not all options have been properly assessed.

Councillor Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration, said: “It is only right that we continue to challenge National Grid’s approach. Many communities across Essex and the East of England will be affected. Their best interests must be at the heart of any decisions.

“While we continue to scrutinise the plans, it’s clear many of our concerns remain unresolved.

“We fully support alternative energy, but these plans fail to properly explore all options and their impact.”