As part of a community consultation, East Suffolk Council has been invited to comment on the Sea Link project.
Sea Link is a proposed electricity infrastructure project which includes the construction of a converter station near Saxmundham, a substation near Friston and underground cabling running between them and out to sea, near Aldeburgh.
The project, led by National Grid, is of national significance and the acceptability of the proposals will be decided by the Secretary of State.
The Council has previously expressed its concern over a number of matters related to the Sea Link project, including the lack of clarity over the consideration of alternative proposals, the lack of national co-ordination regarding energy infrastructure and the sensitivity and value of the East Suffolk environment.
Cllr Tom Daly, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Energy and Climate Change, said: “Before we begin to look at the detail of cable routes, proposed infrastructure, etc, the major issues of coordination and strategy are outstanding.
“Although being promoted as ‘a standalone project’, there is clear synergy with all other projects seeking cable routes, converter stations and Friston connections. It follows that there is significant benefit in looking at these projects and the other NSIPs (Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects) together.
“In addition to the cumulative impacts as a result of the delivery of multiple NSIPs within East Suffolk, we are concerned about the consenting process, which includes the pre-application phase, and the huge burden this imposes on the local communities.
“We would like to see greater coordination between the promotors in relation to this matter, especially considering LionLink, Sea Link and Nautilus are all being promoted under the umbrella of the National Grid Group.”
The consultation, which opened on 24 October, is the first statutory consultation on the proposal.
Consultation documents are available to view at www.nationalgrid.com/sealink, while hard copies are available at Saxmundham Library, Leiston Library, Aldeburgh Library, Snape Village Hall and Friston Village Hall.
National Grid is also holding in-person consultation events and webinars to enable residents to learn more about the proposals:
Webinars
Tuesday 31 October 2pm-3pm
Places must be booked at www.nationalgrid.com/sealink.
Events
Old Generator Station, King’s Field, Aldeburgh, IP15 5HY
Wednesday 8 November 12.30pm-5.30pm
Thursday 9 November 11am-4.30pm
Market Hall, High Street, Saxmundham, IP17 1AF
Friday 24 November 1pm-6pm
Saturday 25 November 11am-4pm
There is also an ‘ask the expert’ session on Thursday 23 November between 3pm and 7.30pm at Friston Village Hall and at other times on a phone or video call basis. These sessions can be booked at www.nationalgrid.com/sealink.
Comments should be sent to National Grid by 11.59pm on Monday 18 December 2023. Postal responses will be accepted until Tuesday 2 January 2024.