Have your say on proposals to boost capacity across the electricity transmission network in Suffolk and Kent
- New electricity reinforcement needed by 2030 to carry renewable and low carbon power to homes and businesses
- Project will help UK achieve net zero by 2050
- National Grid is consulting communities as part of a statutory consultation until Monday 18 December
National Grid’s consultation on proposals for a new electricity infrastructure project is closing soon but there is still time for local communities to have a say. National Grid is encouraging communities in Suffolk and Kent to comment on proposals as part of an eight-week statutory consultation process which runs until 18 December 2023.
Sea Link is needed to carry renewable and low carbon power from offshore wind, interconnectors and nuclear power to where it is needed. The proposals include a new, primarily offshore, 145 km cable connection from Pegwell Bay in Kent to a point on the Suffolk Coast between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness. Plans include the onshore infrastructure needed at either end, such as converter stations and substations, to connect the power onto the existing network so it can be transported to homes and businesses around the country.
National Grid is pleased to see so many members of the public take part in this statutory consultation so far. It is an opportunity for local communities to see how the plans have developed and to provide further feedback on the proposals before National Grid submits a planning application to the Planning Inspectorate.
Adrian Pierssene, Project Director for Sea Link, commented: “This reinforcement between Suffolk and Kent is essential in the UK’s journey to net zero by 2050 and is part of a wider programme to upgrade the entire network. We have heard from more than 1,000 residents and stakeholders during this statutory consultation, we want to thank everyone who has taken the time to comment on our plans so far and encourage residents to share their views before the consultation closes on 18 December.”
Until 18 December, members of the public will be able to provide feedback on the proposals via the project website at nationalgrid.com/sealink. Residents who prefer to respond to the consultation via post can request a printed copy of the feedback form and a free post envelope by contacting the team. Residents can speak to the team by calling the information line on 0808 134 9569 or by emailing [email protected].
Detailed proposals can be found on the project website at nationalgrid.com/sealink. Alternatively, members of the public can collect information from local deposit points. The following table shows the deposit locations and opening times:
Suffolk
Location | Opening hours |
Saxmundham Library (Block B, Street Farm Rd, Saxmundham IP17 1AL) | Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30am–5:30pm Saturday 10am–1pm Sunday 10am–3pm |
Leiston Library (Main St, Leiston IP16 4ER) | Tuesday 9:30am–7:30pm Thursday 9:30pm–5:30pm Friday and Saturday 9:30am–1pm and 2pm–5pm Sunday 10am–3pm |
Aldeburgh Library (Victoria Rd, Aldeburgh IP15 5EG) | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am–1pm Wednesday 9am–6pm Saturday 10am–3pm Sunday 10am–1pm |
Snape Village Hall (5 Garrett Cl, Snape, Saxmundham IP17 1RN) | Monday to Saturday 7am–7pm |
Friston Village Hall (Church Rd, Friston, Saxmundham IP17 1PU) | Opening hours vary. Please contact the venue directly for opening hours via email ([email protected]) or by phone (01728 687914) |
Kent
Location | Opening hours |
|---|---|
Ash Library (11 Queen's Rd, Ash, Canterbury CT3 2BG) | Monday 11:30am–1pm and 2pm–3pm Tuesday 9:30am–1pm Wednesday 9:30am–2pm Friday 11:30am–5pm Saturday 9am–2pm |
Minster Library (4a Monkton Rd, Minster, Ramsgate CT12 4EA) | Monday 1pm–5pm Tuesday and Sunday 9:30am–1:30pm Thursday 12pm–5pm Friday 10am–4pm |
Sandwich Library (13 Market St, Sandwich CT13 9DA) | Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:30am–5pm Saturday 9:30am–3pm |
Ramsgate Library (Guildford Lawn, Ramsgate CT11 9AY) | Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30am–5:30pm Thursday 9:30am–4:30pm Saturday 9:30am–3:30pm |
Newington Library (Royal Harbour Academy, Stirling Way, Ramsgate CT12 6FA) | Monday and Thursday 9am–1pm and 2pm–5:30pm Tuesday and Saturday 9am–1pm |
Margate Library (Cecil Street, Margate, CT9 1RE) | Monday, Thursday and Friday 10am–5:30pm Tuesday and Wednesday 10am–5pm Saturday 10am–3:30pm |
Thanet District Council (Cecil Street, Margate CT9 1AY) | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8:45am–5pm |
Opening times are subject to change, residents can contact venues directly or the Project Team for an update.
