Lincolnshire pylon plan would impact on valuable farmland - MP

A Lincolnshire MP has called on the prime minister to join him in opposing plans to install electricity pylons between Grimsby and Norfolk.

The National Grid proposals would see a network of pylons being erected over 87 miles (140km) through the Lincolnshire countryside to Walpole.

It is part of plans to transport power from offshore wind farms around the UK.

Sir John Hayes, the MP for South Holland and The Deepings, said the land was needed for growing food.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Sir John said: "These will blot the landscape and use up valuable growing land - filling the fenland big skies.

"Knowing that his bow burns with gold - like my own - will he [the prime minister] ensure that he joins my fight for our green and pleasant land.

Rishi Sunak did not directly answer the question about pylons.

However, he said: "My honourable friend raises an excellent point about our food security," adding the government was taking steps to protect prime agricultural land from large-scale solar developments.

The proposals form part of The Great Grid Upgrade, which is claimed to be the largest overhaul of the grid in generations.

Critics have previously raised concerns about the impact on the environment, with campaigners calling for the cables to be buried underground.

In response, National Grid said it had a duty to deliver value for money, adding it was "significantly cheaper" to use pylons.

Conservative county councillor Colin Davie has also raised concerns over the impact on Lincolnshire's visitor economy.

"These pylons, substations and overhead cables will carve up our beautiful landscape," he said.

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