South Kesteven councillors to debate 60km pylon route

A controversial scheme to build 60 kilometres of electricity pylons across South Kesteven is set to come under the spotlight later this month.

National Grid wants to run a line of pylons from Weston Marsh, near Spalding, to East Leicestershire - with the route cutting through villages and farmland in the district.

Two new substations are also included in the plan, one of them near Corby Glen.

South Kesteven District councillors will examine the proposals on Thursday, August 28, however, they can't make the final call.

The Government will decide whether the scheme goes ahead in the coming years.

National Grid says the pylons are needed to help modernise Britain’s power network, much of which dates back to the 1960s.

With electricity demand forecast to double by 2050, the company says the route will bring renewable energy from Scotland and the North Sea into the East Midlands, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

A fresh round of public consultation is planned for next year, with parish councils and residents set to have their say.

South Kesteven District Council has urged National Grid to keep communities fully involved in the design process, stressing the need to balance national energy goals with the impact on local people and landscapes.