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Kent campaigners fear wildlife impact of planned electricity line

Guy Campbell/BBC Sea Link modelGuy Campbell/BBC
Sea Link infrastructure would connect power to the existing network to then be transported to homes and businesses

Plans for a new electricity line between Kent and Suffolk have led to fears over the impact on wildlife.

National Grid's Sea Link project aims to lay 90 miles (145km) of undersea cable that comes ashore near Sandwich in Kent and between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh in Suffolk.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) called the plans "a disaster".

However, the Sea Link team said it was "essential in the UK's journey to net zero."

The National Grid said the cable would carry renewable power from offshore wind, interconnectors and nuclear power to where it is needed.

A sub-station and converter station has also been planned for Minster, near Ramsgate in Kent and near Saxmundham in Suffolk. 

A series of public exhibitions begin in East Kent on Wednesday as part of an eight-week consultation.

The area that would be affected in Thanet
There are fears the work would destroy important wildlife habitats

CPRE Kent said the project could prove a disaster for wildlife as the cable would come ashore in the Pegwell and Sandwich Bay National Nature Reserve - one of the county's most valuable sites for wildlife.

It also said a nearby Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) would almost certainly be adversely affected.

Last week in Suffolk, residents at similar public exhibitions raised concerns about increased construction traffic.

Charlotte Webb/National Grid Wind farmCharlotte Webb/National Grid
According to the National Grid, upgrades will help the UK switch to clean energy

Over the eight-week period, members of the public have been invited to attend in-person events, dial into webinars, collect information from local deposit points or book an appointment with experts.

Adrian Pierssene, project director for Sea Link, said: "This reinforcement between Suffolk and Kent is essential in the UK's journey to net zero by 2050 and is part of a wider programme to upgrade the entire network.

"We look forward to hearing views from members of the public and we welcome feedback on our proposals."

The public consultation ends on 18 December.

National Grid is expected to submit its proposals to the Planning Inspectorate next year as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.

Presentational grey line

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