WHILE there has been widespread indifference in political circles in the mid and south regions of Essex to plans to build a major powerline through the county, councils in north Essex and neighbouring Suffolk continue to get on the front foot in opposition.

Suffolk County Council has called for a pause to a controversial major pylon project as it progresses to the next stage.

Cllr Richard Rout, the county council's lead for major infrastructure projects, renewed calls for National Grid to pause its plans for a pylon line between Norwich and Tilbury, set to directly impact huges swathces of local countryside.

It comes as the plans for 184km of cabling — which would see 159km of overhead cables strung between 50-metre-high pylons — are set to go into their next stage.

Suffolk Council's 52-page objection outlined a range of negative impacts, including on public health, landscape and the economy, particularly as other energy projects were progressing through the planning system.

Cllr Rout said: "There are significant and important matters of detail which have not been adequately addressed.

"I don't think you can understate the pressure and toll these projects are putting on the mental wellbeing of our residents.

"The impacts are real and they are being felt across our communities."

National Grid has said the pylons could power up to six million homes and businesses.

But thousands of residents have said the plans would decimate Suffolk's landscapes, with nearly 40,000 people signing a petition calling for offshore or underground options to be considered instead.

In its objection, the county council says it believes these options have not been properly considered by National Grid.

A 2023 report commissioned by Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex county councils concluded the pylon line was not the best option and others should be analysed.

Meanwhile, National Grid says an offshore option has been assessed but would be significantly more expensive for taxpayers.

Cllr Chris Chambers, whose division would be particularly impacted, said energy projects would turn Bramford into an industrial corridor.

Cllr Andrew Stringer, leader of the main opposition group, stressed residents' concerns were not because they were NIMBYs, but because they were already being impacted by other projects.

The term NIMBY (not in my backyard) refers to residents objecting to projects being located too close to where they live while supporting similar bids elsewhere.

Cllr Rout promised the council would continue to fight for residents and, if the plans were to be approved, would try to secure adequate mitigations and compensation.

The objection was supported unanimously by cabinet members earlier today.

Suffolk County Council encouraged parishes and local communities to register as interested parties by the end of the month to have their say during the public examination period, expected to start in January next year.

This is set to run until July, with a decision expected by the Secretary of State in January 2027.

If approved, work is set to begin that same year, becoming fully operational in 2031.