Opposition to National Grid’s pylons plans raised by Priti in Parliament
Local and regional opposition to the National Grid’s plans for over 100 miles of new pylons and overhead powerlines in the East of England was highlighted by Witham MP Priti Patel in a parliamentary debate today (25 October 2023). During the debate on the planning considerations for renewable energy infrastructure, Priti criticised the lack of transparency and the secretive way new infrastructure is planned to connect to the grid the new renewable energy generated by offshore wind farms. She also slammed plans to offer cash bribes to local communities who have new infrastructure imposed on them and pressed the Government to take action to develop and offshore grid alternative.
Priti said: “Communities across the East of England are alarmed and shocked by the National Grid’s plans to cover our countryside with pylons and the way these plans have been formulated. Although consultations have taken place, people have had no chance to input into the strategic approach and are concerned that their views will be run roughshod over.”
“New proposals are coming forward to bribe communities to accept unwanted infrastructure but in the East of England we want to have a real say and influence decisions, not be bought off. That’s why we need to see a viable offshore grid alternative plan come forward and I will continue to campaign for this and press the Government and National Grid to listen to local concerns and respond to them.”