3 days ago
National Grid starts new consultation over 50-metre high Norfolk pylons plan
Fresh consultation has started over controversial plans for a new electricity line with 50-metre pylons bringing power into Norfolk.
National Grid has updated its plans for the 86-mile Grimsby to Walpole electricity upgrade, which would transport power from north east Lincolnshire to a new substation in the Walpole area of west Norfolk.
The pylons would be 50 metres tall (Image: Press Association)
The substation, which would also take power from the proposed Eastern Green Link 3 and 4 schemes, would be built north of Walton Highway, with 50-metre high pylons carrying the overhead line.
After consultation last year, National Grid has made changes to its plans, including reducing pylon height close to the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape by 10 metres.
However, proposals in the Walpole parish, which includes the villages of Walpole St Peter, Walpole St Andrew and Walpole Marsh, have not been revised.
A new substation is planned in the Walpole area (Image: Ian Burt)
Members of the public will get another chance to have their say when eight weeks of further consultation starts this week.
Ben Muncey, project director for Grimsby to Walpole, said: "As our demand for electricity grows, this project will connect our homes, businesses and public services to sources of home-grown British energy, which will lower our electricity bills in the long-term and make us more energy independent.
"We thank everyone who commented on the initial proposals during our last round of consultation.
"The feedback was critical to refining the proposed route and we look forward to engaging the community around the updated plans."
North West Norfolk Conservative MP James Wild previously criticised the plans and questioned why cables could not go underground.
North West Norfolk MP James Wild (Image: Laurie Noble / UK Parliament)
National Grid bosses said that would be more expensive and overhead cabling is the "starting presumption" under government policy.
National Grid intends to submit an application for development consent in 2027. It hopes to start construction in 2029.
The route of the Grimsby to Walpole project (Image: National Grid)
Under government guidance, communities where new electricity infrastructure is built could receive £200,000 of funding per kilometre of overhead electricity cable and £530,000 per substation.
People can give feedback at until Wednesday, August 9.
There will also be events at Walpole Community Centre from 1pm to 7pm on Friday, July 18 and in Tydd St Giles Community Centre from 11am until 4pm on Saturday, July 19.
Consultation documents will be available in King's Lynn and Wisbech libraries and in Walpole Community Centre.
The plans come as campaigners in south Norfolk oppose separate proposals for pylons stretching from near Norwich to Tilbury in Essex.
