COUNCILLORS have rejected controversial plans to build an electricity sub-station for a huge off-shore wind farm on land at Sizewell, near Leiston, despite being advised there was “an overriding national need” for the development.

COUNCILLORS have rejected controversial plans to build an electricity sub-station for a huge off-shore wind farm on land at Sizewell, near Leiston, despite being advised there was “an overriding national need” for the development.

Members of Suffolk Coastal District Council met yesterday to consider Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds' proposals to build a sub-station up to 15m high on a site to the south of the Sizewell Gap Road.

The proposed siting has prompted strong criticism from residents, who argue the building should sit closer to the Sizewell A and B nuclear power plants to avoid an unsightly spread of industrial buildings, and talks have been taking place to try to find a viable alternative.

Greater Gabbard is planning to build up to 140 wind turbines in the Outer Thames Estuary and the sub-station is needed for the electricity they will generate.

The council received 15 letters of objection to the proposal, and parish councils closest to the site were strongly opposed.

A spokesman for the district council said: “Councillors on the north area development control sub-committee are fully in support of the principle of the offshore wind farm but in terms of the sub-station they have concerns about where it should be placed and wanted alternative sites to be fully explored.”