Essex Conservatives are calling on the Government and National Grid to reconsider East Anglia Green Proposals Essex Conservatives have sent a strong message to the Government and National Grid requesting that they review and reconsider their controversial East Anglia Green Proposals. The motion, which received support from across the chamber, stressed that the pylon infrastructure proposed in this scheme is neither wanted or needed.
The Conservative Group on Essex County Council is calling for an offshore solution and wants to see the Government and National Grid engage with Essex and neighbouring county councils to achieve this. Whilst the Council is committed to achieving net-zero by 2050 and the plans for renewable wind farms off the East Anglian coast are welcomed, there are serious about the route of the carbon-heavy pylons which would be installed as part of the East Anglia Green Proposals which rely on 50-year-old technology.
The motion highlighted the fact that there had been a lack of consideration for alternative approaches. It went on to stress that there were ways to deliver the infrastructure requested which could minimise the impact on the environment and the local landscape in Essex and neighbouring counties. It was also noted that this project would coincide with several major infrastructure projects and has the potential to cause major disruption across the East of England.
Councillor Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council who proposed the motion to Council stated that “Essex County Council objects in the strongest possible terms to the proposals being put forward in the non-statutory consultation in respect of National Grid’s East Anglia Green project.”
He went on to call for “full, open and transparent information on all options to be published.” In his speech to the council, he noted that there were different options to consider including offshore and undergrounding. He stressed that there needed to be an opportunity for residents, businesses, councils, and other stakeholders to be fully consulted and consider the different options. Cllr Bentley said, “this council's concern about this project is shared by our neighbours across the East of England.”
During the debate, a number of local members expressed deep concern about the potential impact that this project could have on their community. The project could have negative impacts on the environment and private property in the county. The Conservative Administration will now take the recommendations of this motion forward, and place pressure on National Grid and the Government to re-think their damaging plans.
