Norfolk council set to oppose Norwich to Tilbury pylon plan

Councillors at Conservative-controlled Norfolk County Council previously criticised National Grid's controversial Norwich to Tilbury scheme, but the authority has yet to lodge its official response to the consultation.

At a meeting on Monday, councillors are likely to agree a recommendation from County Hall officers that the council should object to the plans, which include almost 90 50-metre-tall pylons.

The pylons would stretch from Norwich to Tilbury (Image: Newsquest)

Officers state: "Given the scale of the proposal, the potential alternative options and the questions around the timing when the upgrades are needed, an objection to the current project is recommended."

They recommend that members of the planning and highways delegations committee urge National Grid to pause its current plans and consider alternative options.

Documents which will come before councillors state: "The county council's position remains as set out to previous consultation rounds and supports in principle an offshore option.

"Where this proves undeliverable then support should be given towards an onshore underground option."

READ MORE: Norfolk councillor wants nuclear reactors in county

Officers recommend that councillors agree, should an onshore solution prove the only 'practical' option, more cables should be buried underground, particularly around Diss.

They also recommend compensation for householders and businesses affected and say National Grid should consider how to deliver power to Norfolk to support planned housing and job growth.

Norfolk County Council's County Hall headquarters (Image: Mike Page)

Energy company bosses say the power line from Norfolk to Essex is needed to allow electricity generated by North Sea wind farms to be used elsewhere in the country.

They say the scheme is a vital part of the UK's net zero ambitions and using pylons rather than burying the cable underground will reduce costs to bill payers.

County councillors previously backed a motion expressing concerns over the proposals, which are also opposed by MPs and the Pylons East Anglia campaign group.

Campaigners are opposing the pylon plans (Image: Christine Murton)

Consultation - at nationalgrid.com/norwich-to-tilbury - had been due to end in mid-June.

But it has been extended until Friday, July 26 due to the general election.