Miliband’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero agrees, arguing that many more such developments will be needed to meet the UK’s future needs.
In a statement, it said: “Securing Britain’s clean energy future will require more solar and wind farms, as well as improving infrastructure, to get this renewable electricity on the grid. It is important we take people with us and are considering ways to ensure communities who live near clean energy infrastructure can see the benefits of this.”
‘Completely forgotten’
National Grid says it has been waiting months for proposals on “community benefits” – a system of rewarding locals who find themselves “hosting” pylon lines, substations and other infrastructure.
A spokesman said: “When developing new overhead lines and associated infrastructure, we always try to avoid communities and individual properties. We recognise that the visual impact is likely to be a concern.
“Communities that host infrastructure should receive fair and enduring benefits for doing so … An ambitious overarching community benefit framework is essential and should be published by the Government as soon as possible.”
Kevin Bentley, the Essex county council leader, argues that politicians should have worked out how to deliver those benefits before starting construction programmes. He too fears that voters will reject the whole net zero agenda — and switch allegiance to Reform.
He says: “National Grid’s plan for installing pylons from Norfolk to Tilbury has so far failed to address some of the most important concerns of councils, communities, landowners and businesses.
“They have yet to provide any evidence that they’ve explored all the alternative options to bring offshore energy onshore, haven’t addressed how the Essex communities who would have their local environment ruined by this project would be compensated, or how the environmental impacts might be mitigated.”
Back in Alford, Eric Cooper, 77, is taking on National Grid and the Government. He has tied a solitary protest banner to trees overlooking the fields targeted for the massive new substation.
“No one has talked to us, no one has listened to us and our votes don’t count, because the decisions are made in Westminster,” he says. “We’ve been completely forgotten.”
