Formal plans for the Norwich to Tilbury power project, which could see 500 pylons built across the East Anglian countryside, have been formally submitted.
The long-touted project has been sent to the planning inspectorate by the National Grid, following years of consultation.
National Grid hope to expand the capacity of the electricity grid amid growing demand with a new 180-kilometre high transmission line.
This would comprise 159km of overhead lines supported by approximately 509 pylons, which have been a bone of contention among campaigners and political figures.
The remaining 21km of the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) would consist of underground cables through areas such as the Dedham Vale National Landscape.
Simon Pepper, project director, said: “As our demand for electricity grows the way we generate electricity is changing.
"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.
“Our application submission marks a significant milestone for the Norwich to Tilbury project, which continues to be an essential part of the UK’s transition towards a cleaner energy future, by helping to connect renewable and low carbon energy to homes and businesses across the UK.”
If approved, construction would begin in 2027 and take four years.
The project would see the hundreds of pylons erected along the route between the Norwich Main substation, via Bramford substation at the edge of Ipswich, and a new Tilbury North substation into Tilbury substation in Essex.
Campaigners have argued it would be better to create offshore links to the electricity grid to carry the power.
Rosie Pearson, founder of the Essex Suffolk Norfolk pylons group, said: "The submission of the DCO (development consent order) coincides with the publication of in-depth analysis by our group which busts the myth that pylons are cheap and alternatives expensive.
"We will be telling the planning inspectorate that the process has been unlawful and that the proposal should not be accepted for examination.”
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge added: "As we expected, National Grid have applied for planning permission to build pylons from Norwich to Tilbury, with some undergrounding through the Dedham Vale AONB.
"If the planning inspectorate decides to accept the application for examination, I would urge all of my affected constituents to register to have their say on the proposals.
"I am still campaigning for alternative transmission options and will continue doing all I can to push for the protection of the countryside and a fairer deal for my constituents.”
Published by the Sudbury Mercury.
