THURROCK will play host later this week to part of a public enquiry into plans for a 114-mile network of pylons and cables running from Norwich to Tilbury.

The scheme, which is widely opposed by residents and councils along its route, including Thurrock Council, is the subject of at a series of hearings being led by the Planning Inspectorate.

Plans were submitted to the Inspectorate in August and the government will make the final decision on whether the project can go ahead based on the hearing's findings.

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

Known as the East Anglia Green project, the scheme was first announced in early 2022.

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.

Campaigners across three counties have argued that the scheme should not go ahead. 

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The hearings began at Ipswich Town FC yesterday (Tuesday, 10 February) and will continue there today.

Rosie Pearson, founder of the Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons action group, said the project would "destroy landscape and heritage and reduce people's house prices."

Project manager Simon Pepper said it was a "critical national priority project", and if the pylons were not built it would mean "there wouldn't be energy available to support economic growth and business and homes".

The hearings move to Thurrock's Orsett Hall tomorrow and Friday, with other sessions being held in Norwich.

Individuals will be given three minutes to address inspectors at the hearings and organisations, such as councils, will get five minutes. Hearings generally take the form of a round-the-table discussion that will be led by the Inspector. It is intended to be an informal process and allows for all parties to respond to any question that the Inspector may have and let everyone make their case known.

Interested parties may also attend and take part in the discussion at the Inspector's discretion. For further information on the hearing procedure see section 10 in the Planning Appeals Procedural Guide

If the application gets the go-ahead, construction would begin next year and take about four years.

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