Stock Parish Council has formally objected to the National Grid’s Norwich to Tilbury project to build pylons carrying high-voltage electricity through countryside close to the village.
The network was built in the 1960s, and now needs some work to reinforce the network and connect new sources of energy.
National Grid wants to build a 400kV electricity overhead transmission line in East Anglia, running from Norwich in Norfolk to Tilbury in Essex (originally called the East Anglia GREEN project).
The project is currently subject to statutory public consultation, being carried out in line with the formal requirements of the Planning Act 2008, which closes on Tuesday 18 June 2024.
A map published by the National Grid (see above) shows the pylons crossing the western edge of Stock Parish across fields to the east of St Mary’s Church in Buttsbury, which dates back to the Saxon period, before crossing Ingatestone Road and Stock Brook and turning south west between Billericay and Hutton.
The area and views are considered to be a beauty spot, with footpaths linking Stock to Ingatestone.
The Parish Council believes this project, which would see construction taking place from 2027, and would not be fully operational until 2031, brings severe harm to the environment, landscape and heritage of this area.
The alternatives such as offshore grid and undergrounding of cables have not been presented for consultation.
You can find more information about this and how to comment via www.nationalgrid.com/norwich-to-tilbury.
