Lincolnshire County Council has warned energy bosses to expect "full-scale war" if they refuse to listen to concerns over a major pylon proposal.
Councillor Colin Davie, portfolio holder for economic development, environment, and planning, has penned an open letter to National Energy System Operating (NESO) director Julian Leslie.
He demanded "proper meaningful dialogue" about the scheme that would involve pylons from Grimsby through Lincolnshire to Norfolk.
The councillor warned that if NESO showed no willingness to engage, the council is prepared for a "full scale war".
Councillor Colin Davie has written to the NESO
PA/Lincolnshire County Council
"We either have a sensible, grown-up conversation or we're going to full scale war," Davie stated firmly.
The National Grid scheme, known as The Great Grid Upgrade, was first publicly announced in January 2024. It involves a new 400,000-volt electricity transmission line stretching 87 miles through the Lincolnshire countryside, reports LincolnshireLive.
Lincolnshire County Council has outlined strong opposition to the project since its announcement.
The council has threatened legal action against the plans, having also recently urged energy watchdog Ofgem not to approve the business case due to a lack of transparency over costs.
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The pylons would be built down the East coast (file pic)
PA
NESO, which acts as an independent public corporation, is responsible for delivering the Great Grid Upgrade by 2030. The council has made it clear they do not accept the proposition for an overhead cable line with substations at Alford.
"We are clear the best long-term solution for the United Kingdom is an integrated offshore grid, and where cables need to come onshore, they should do so via undergrounding," Councillor Davie wrote.
He expressed concern about the industrialisation of eastern Lincolnshire.
He said: "We will not tolerate the whole eastern side of Lincolnshire being industrialised, destroying our wide-open skies, our natural environment, and wrecking our joint bid for UNESCO World Heritage Status."
Davie claimed work on the project had been ongoing since 2020, about three years before the council was informed.
"It was very clear that stuff had been going on way before we found out about it," he said.
A NESO spokesman responded: "We continue to work closely with all stakeholders, including locally elected representatives, as we develop and implement a more holistic approach to the future design of the national electricity network."
National Grid defended their position on the Grimsby to Walpole project. "Grimsby to Walpole will help connect renewable energy to the grid and provide much-needed additional capacity," a spokesperson said.
They insisted communities play an important role in shaping their proposals. "We have been discussing our early work with Lincolnshire County Council officers over several years."
The company said their project team is "carefully considering" all feedback received. They plan to share more detailed proposals at their next public consultation later this year.
