CAMPAIGNERS fighting a controversial 112 mile long pylon scheme that will cut through Thurrock have hit out at what they say is massive breach of privacy in a planning document.

The Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk Pylons group say sensitive information like names, addresses and mortgage details of people whose homes could be compulsorily purchased have been disclosed.

The National Grid project  will see the building of around 509 pylons from Norwich to Tilbury.

The details were included in a 16,000 page document relating to the proposals to also build a new 180km high voltage electricity power line by the National Grid.

The document, published by the planning inspectorate, is labelled Book of Reference and includes the names, dates of deeds transferred of properties potentially impacted by the project.

It also also gives a brief description of the land and any interested parties.

Rosieb Pearson

However, Rosie Pearson of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk Pylons campaign group, says she is deeply concerned by the details in the publication.

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She said: "It was shocking to discover the 16,000-page document that exposes the home addresses of people in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, along the 112-mile pylon route.

"In some cases, there is even mortgage information published in the document.

"We know the information is needed for compulsory purchase discussion, but the details should be redacted if it has to be published.

"Badgers get greater privacy protections than we do - their sett locations are kept hidden in the documentation."

At the time it was immediate condemned by East Tilbury councillor Fraser Massey, who called on National Grid to consider running the cables around the coast, under water.

Government guidelines say the inclusion of names and addresses is published online as part of the public record to ensure transparency and allow interested parties to participate in the planning process. 

The Planning Inspectorate said the document did not constitute a data breach and it was required to publish details as part of the application process.

National Grid chose not to comment.