Tasburgh locals given their thoughts on National Grid pylons

National Grid insists the major new 112-mile 400kV power line is essential to helping the UK achieve its net zero ambitions by 2050. 

But what do the people on the route think? GEORGE THOMPSON reports 

As part of the work, pylons will have to be built across the south Norfolk countryside, running from Dunston, near Norwich, to Tilbury on the Thames estuary.   

At a drop-in consultation event earlier this week, we spoke to residents from Tasburgh and the surrounding area to get their thoughts on the plans...

Mike Daniels at the pylon route drop-in event in Tasburgh (Image: George Thompson, LDR)

TOO MUCH DEVELOPMENT 

Mike Daniels, who was examining the plans with his wife, said his big concern was the number of schemes going on in Norfolk and how they would impact each other. 

“We live near to one of the planned pylons at Tasburgh but we aren’t thinking about our own situation,” he said. 

“There are the wind turbine schemes coming in from the north, Sizewell C up the road, the people looking at these plans can’t see what will be happening up there. 

“I’m not sure you can get the whole story about how it will affect the countryside from looking at this. 

“It would be useful to know how all the schemes will impact each other. 

But he added: “We understand that this scheme is taxpayer funded and they need to get the best out of it they can without going over the top. 

“But it is a great unspoiled rural area and now it will be a bit blighted by this."

Bev Spratt (left) examining the route map (Image: George Thompson, LDR)

'TOO CLOSE TO CHURCHES' 

Bev Spratt, a parish councillor, who was examining the route map, said: “The Tas Valley will be ruined, the cables should go underground if it goes ahead. 

“The pylons will be far too close to the historic Tacolneston and Hapton churches.

"We don’t want them at all but we have to negotiate. If we have to have them I think the route should be moved 50 meters east [to the other side of Tacolneston].” 

Tasburgh locals examining the plans (Image: George Thompson, LDR)

'TERRIBLY NOT HAPPY'

Sue Cheeseman, who owns a small farm near Tasburgh, said other areas of the country were removing their pylons and replacing them with underground cables – this has happened in some beauty spots, including near Weston-Super-Mare. 

“I think it’s a very poor option," she said.

“We get it going underground in Dedham Vale [an area designated an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Essex-Suffolk border] but none here. 

“A lot of this area has outstanding beauty as well. I’m really terribly not happy.” 

Ms Cheeseman said she would have preferred it to go offshore or more underground in Norfolk. 

“We have a small farm, with pylons set to be built on it, historically they have paid a rent but this time they are talking a set one-off payment. 

“If we get five pylons that’s a significant amount of our land gone and the compensation seems negligible.” 

Pylons across the countryside (Image: National Grid)

'I COULD GET ANGRY' 

Ben Goodfellow from Lower Tasburgh, said: “It’s difficult for [National Grid] because it will always affect someone somewhere, it’s inevitable that there will be opposition. 

“Of course, we would love to see it underground or offshore, but I suspect that it is a fait accompli, it will be pushed through in the national interest. 

“I could get angry but there’s no point.” 

Mr Goodfellow, said he was not sure if he would be able to see the new structures from his property but like Mr Spratt argued the scheme should go further east, suggesting the other side of Winfarthing. 

Martin Starkie (fourth from left) and anti-pylon campaigners outside the drop-in event (Image: George Thompson, LDR)

'RIDICULOUS SITUATION' 

Martin Starkie, from the Forncett and South Norfolk Pylons Action Group, was there as part of a protest group outside the hall.

He said: “Some people think they will not be affected by the proposal but we say if you live in this area you will be. 

“Construction will last several years, there will be hundreds of extra vehicle movements every week requiring access to fields, and could then take several years to take the temporary infrastructure away again. 

“It seems to be a ridiculous situation.” 

The route map (Image: National Grid)

WHAT HAS NATIONAL GRID SAID?

A spokesperson for National Grid has said the project is essential for bringing clean electricity to homes and businesses across East Anglia and the UK.

They said: "After the consultation, we will carefully review all feedback and carry out further studies, including traffic assessments.  

"We will hold a further consultation when we will share more details of how we will manage traffic during construction. 

"Wherever we develop projects we work closely, fairly and consistently with landowners. We compensate them for using their land to site our infrastructure.” 

Landowners will get a one-off payment based on 40 years of access to their land.

The payments will be £6,000 per tower for grassland and £8,000 for arable.

The consultation ends on August 21.