Two Suffolk district councils have joined Suffolk County Council in formally objecting to National Grid plans for 29km of electricity pylons and underground cabling between Bramford and Twinstead.
In a submission to the National Planning Inspectorate, Babergh and Mid Suffolk councils said the impact on the countryside was too great and the impact on tourism had been ignored.
The 18km of overhead lines and 11km of cabling is intended to improve capability to securely transport energy from the East coast, with new offshore wind farms, Sizewell C nuclear power station, and connection with countries across the North Sea.
John Ward, Babergh District Council acting leader, said: “The development, given its location across the Dedham Vale National Landscape and the Stour Valley project area, will have significant impact upon visitor perception and ultimately visitor numbers.
"The impact on our residents of the proximity of the development is also going to be significant.
“It is unacceptable that these impacts have not been assessed.
“We have expressed our concern about the lack of undergrounding between the National Landscape sections and we know that our communities feel they haven’t been listened to on this matter and on the location of infrastructure.”
Mid Suffolk District Council cabinet member for heritage, planning and infrastructure, Andrew Stringer, said: “We understand why National Grid wants to increase capacity, but we need a joined-up plan which doesn’t sacrifice what makes our landscape so special.
“There are still significant shortcomings with their proposals which need to be addressed. We would also stress that critical national infrastructure must not only help meet net zero, but also deliver sustainable benefits to the communities where it is situated.”
The two councils join a chorus of criticism of the plans, with Suffolk County Council also objecting.
Concerns have also been raised about the cumulative impact of the development, with other work taking place in the area such as the additional powerline from Norwich to Tilbury connecting to the Bramford sub-station.
The National Planning Inspectorate is preparing a report for the Secretary of State at the Department of Energy and Net Zero, who will have final say.
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