Councillors in Norfolk have objected to a National Grid proposal to construct an electricity transmission line across three counties.
National Grid has launched a statutory consultation on plans for an 184km overhead power line between Norwich in Norfolk, Bramford in Suffolk and Tilbury in Essex.
In non-statutory consultations, the three affected county councils have urged National Grid to reconsider the scheme.
But the project will be determined by the secretary of state for energy security and net zero as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.
This week, Norfolk County Council’s planning and highways delegations committee agreed to object to the proposal, arguing that alternative options, including an offshore or underground scheme, had not been adequately considered.
The council has said it recognises the need to add capacity to the network but not until 2035, while National Grid plans for a 2030 delivery date.
Norfolk will now ask the utility firm to pause its plans and consider the alternative options with the Electricity Systems Operator, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and local stakeholders.
