County Council disputes PM’s pylon claims

After the Prime Minister claimed that above ground pylons were needed, county councillors continue to question the rationale.

Lincolnshire County Council has agreed to join forces with counterparts across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to continue fighting the pylon plans.

Cllr Martin Hill OBE, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said:

“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.

Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economic development, environment and planning at Lincolnshire County Council, 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.”