Braintree District Council has expressed its in-principle objection and concerns on the Norwich to Tilbury proposals in its formal response to National Grid’s latest consultation.
It will be made up mostly of overhead line and pylons, along with some underground cables through and near to the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and in part in the Braintree district, where it crosses an existing 400kV overhead line.
Braintree District Council’s response states that numerous parts of the Braintree district would be impacted by their identified route, which enters the district near Coggeshall and goes between Silver End and Witham before exiting the district near Fairstead and Fuller Street, and that alternative options have not been fully explored and considered to ensure minimal impact on the district.
Suggestions include a tree and arboriculture survey and impact assessment being submitted prior to the final route being decided, and that any tree removal should have re-placement planting. Concern has been raised over visual impacts of the plans and more detail required on how the pylons could be amended or adjusted to mitigate any heritage harm, with consideration given to Silver End and Kelvedon Conservation Areas. Additional information is needed to understand the impacts on hedgerows along the route, in particular those routes important for bat foraging and commuting routes for wildlife, as well as impacts on local resident facilities and wellbeing.
The council also highlighted the potential landscape and visual effects on the nearby river valleys and that attention is given to the sensitivity of each river valley. Comments have been made that whilst the cost of delivering an offshore route may be more expensive when compared to an onshore route, the additional pylons does not take into account the likely significant impact on the local tourism industry.
Braintree District Council initially raised concerns at the first consultation in June 2022 and reiterates its comments submitted where they have not been considered.
Councillor Gabrielle Spray, Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure at Braintree District Council, said: “Whilst we are supportive of measures to help reduce climate change impact, the scale of development is significant and we are concerned that the proposed route will have a negative impact on local ecology, heritage assets and landscape. The proposals will rightly cause concern for our communities, and we will continue to reiterate our views and those of residents, in the strongest manner, that viable, alternative options need to be considered to avoid a detrimental impact on residents, local businesses and tourism. We would urge residents to use this opportunity to have their say.”
National Grid’s consultation is still open for residents wishing to comment on the proposals and closes on 21 August 2023. Residents can find out more and have their say via the National Grid website.
Feedback can also be shared by:
- sending a completed paper feedback form to Freepost N TO T (no stamp or further address needed)
- emailing comments to contact@n-t.nationalgrid.com
A statutory public consultation on the proposals is set to follow in 2024 and National Grid plan to submit an application for a development consent order to central government in 2025.
Braintree District Council’s consultation response can be viewed online.