A route closer to Surfleet than Pinchbeck has been chosen by National Grid for a proposed new line of overhead cables and associated pylons, a second consultation for which launches today (Tuesday, September 8).
The company says it has made the decision after listening to residents’ views on the proposed 60km Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire overheard lines.
Like the other part of the Great Grid Upgrade a final decision will be made by central government.
Critics of the scheme say the cables and pylons will be a blot on the landscape and if built, should be underground.
National Grid though say that would be too costly and the infrastructure is needed and something asked for to support the country’s future electricity needs.
If passed it will take electricity from the Weston Marsh Substation B, which is subject to the separate Grimsby to Walpole line, to Watnaby north west of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, via another sub station at Corby Glen.
The consultation is due to launch at 12pm today, with details of the proposed route set to be part of an interactive map on the website https://www.nationalgrid.com/the-great-grid-upgrade/weston-marsh-to-east-leicestershire
Paper copies will be available to view in Spalding Library and Pinchbeck Community Hub and Library.
In person and online consultation sessions will take place including one at Weston Village Hall on Small Drove from 2pm to 7pm on Thursday, October 1 and at Surfleet Village Hall on Station Road, Surfleet, on Thursday October 15 from 10am to 4.30pm.
The consultation ends on November 3.
Becky Allen, external affairs officer at National Grid, said the company had chosen the most northerly route after feedback, so it could avoid land which has planning permission for home and after ‘quite a lot of feedback on horse fields’.
Victoria Strickland, project director for Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire, commented: “The way we generate and use electricity is changing, and demand for electricity is expected to more than double by 2050. Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire is a vital project that will help ensure the electricity network is ready to meet future demand and connect more home-grown British energy for generations to come.
“Where possible, we always look at upgrading existing lines, and this is what we will be doing for part of this project.
“But in order to be able to move electricity from generation sources, including the Lincolnshire coast, further west, we also need a new line between Weston Marsh in Lincolnshire and near Wartnaby in Leicestershire.
“We would like to thank everyone who took part in our consultation last year.
“The feedback we received, alongside ongoing environmental surveys and technical assessments, has helped us refine and develop our proposals.
“We now look forward to hearing people’s views on our updated plans as part of this Stage Two Consultation.”
National Grid say a Community Benefit Fund would be set up if the application goes through which equates to £530,000 for the substation at Weston Marsh and £200,000 per kilometre of overhead electricity line.
A spokesman for the company said: “We will continue to engage with communities and other stakeholders to understand the local priorities, as the project develops.”
