Locals and campaigners have expressed their anger and frustration over what they have called a ‘lack of transparency’ regarding plans for a new network of pylons between Grimsby and Walpole.
National Grid have outlined a proposal for a new high-voltage electricity transmission line and associated works between a new substation in North East Lincolnshire and a new substation in Norfolk.
The controversial plans would see an 87-mile long network of pylons introduced in the largest overhaul of the grid for generations.
The proposal immediately prompted fierce opposition which has worsened in recent months.
A number of authorities including Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) have joined forces to fight the plans and challenge the suitability of the route and the equipment.
Councillor Colin Davie, executive councillor for economic development, environment and planning at LCC said the county was being ‘disproportionately targeted.’
Speaking to Gi Grimsby News, NoPylonsLincolnshire committee member Pam said families, business people, farmers and landowners across the affected area “feel very concerned and worried, helpless.”
“They feel like they’re not being listened to with all these infrastructure projects that are coming to Lincolnshire,” she said.
Pam continued:
“Its not that we don’t support green energy, we do. What we are pushing for is alternative, things that actually reduce the loss of agricultural land, because Lincolnshire is predominantly agricultural land, and we feel the government and National Grid are just not looking at using more modern technology. All we’ve been offered is pylons and nothing else.”
According to the committee, several requests for information have been ‘ignored’, leaving the group felling unrepresented and without a voice.
“They’ve done the initial consultations but members but there’s been conflicting information coming out, so we can never really get to the bottom of anything,” Pam explained.
“We just want an overall plan that shows exactly where all these things are coming into place. We’ve asked them [National Grid] time and time again for an overall plan, but they’re just not giving it to us.”
Pam said there is “hundreds of pages of information”, available but explained that some of it is really technical and difficult to understand, leading to concerns over transparency.
The group raised several questions and concerns over the usage of pylons, and is asking for alternative proposals to be considered in light of the potential loss of habitat and agricultural space, particularly in Lincolnshire.
“We’re just speechless at the way this is being rushed through, all we are asking is they pause and look at other more updated things that they could do, for example off shore. We’re so angry about it and frustrated that nobody is listening,” Pam concluded.
Councillor Martin Hill OBE, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, added:
“The PM claims pylons will be cheaper than laying cables on the seabed, and that residents across the east coast should simply put up with these pylons because the country ‘needs’ them. We understand these offshore wind farms need to be connected to the grid, but pylons are not the only option. The argument that seabed cables are too costly is disputed and National Grid has never provided details about the cost of the options, claiming it is commercially sensitive.
“How can it be more cost effective to put over 400 pylons up in Lincolnshire alone and pay for the compensation arrangements, associated road infrastructure and substations? National Grid already plan to bring power generated in Scotland down to Lincolnshire on the seabed. This power isn’t to meet the county’s needs, it’s needed further south, so why not continue seabed cables further down the coast?
“We all accept we need to reduce our carbon emissions, but by putting a ridiculous deadline of 2030 in place, the new government is making illogical decisions that aren’t in the best interests of our communities. In time, the costs of seabed cabling will come down considerably, allowing us to reach net zero whilst maintaining food security and the natural beauty of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.”
Councillor Colin Davie, added:
“These pylon plans are just the tip of an iceberg when it comes to renewable energy infrastructure planned for Lincolnshire. We must consider the cumulative effects of pylon networks, solar parks and wind.
“Across all these projects, Lincolnshire is being disproportionately targeted due to our geography and topography. The government must pause all these projects until the cumulative impacts on our county have been properly assessed; we will not let Lincolnshire be a dumping ground.
“As Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, once planning applications are submitted they will be decided by the Government. The degree of certainty with which the PM and a number of his MPs speak about these pylon plans sounds like predetermining the planning applications. They need to make sure they are not making a mockery of the planning process.”
