Say no to pylons and say yes to offshore grid
West Bergholt continues to actively campaign against the National Grid Pylon project as part of the Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk Pylons Group (ESN). On Tuesday 13th February we were pleased that Cllr Brian Butcher and Parish Clerk Laura Walkingshaw were able to host a site visit from James Ryan, NSIP1 Project Manager, Colchester City Council (CCC) and CCC Cllr Sara Naylor.
Statutory Consultee
As many of you may know, the CCC are the statutory consultee on the Parish Council’s behalf to the Government on this project. Given that, our working relationship with James and his colleagues are vital to being able to explain the impact that it will have on rural life for us and our neighbouring villages.
Site Visit
On the site visit, the group walked the West Bergholt part of the route where proposals indicate Pylons would be. This helped them to see the impact the project would have on the countryside, its biodiversity, wildlife and people.
Click to view the gallery:
Sara said:
I was struck afresh how irrevocably damaging and destructive this National Grid plan will be to habitats and the unspoilt landscape to the north of West Bergholt.
James was also able to share his knowledge about the impact that underground routes and pylons would have. He also discussed mitigating interventions if the project did go ahead.
James said:
I found the site visit extremely useful and Brian and Laura’s local knowledge is a vital resource for me.
Cllr Butcher said
It was good to have this opportunity to meet James and welcome his support in helping us continue this campaign and our strategy for the future. We are delighted that he will be joining us at the Parish Council Meeting on March 27th to share his role in the statutory consultation process.
- Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project ↩︎