Compensation needed for those impacted by pylons- Norfolk MP
National Grid want to put these projects in the Walpoles and West Walton, with them being finished in 2034
Last updated 2nd Feb 2026
One of our local MPs tells us those set to be impacted by new energy infrastructure should be compensated.
It follows James Wild's survey into what people in West Walton and the Walpoles make of plans to build a converter and overhead power line, there.
"We can hopefully influence National Grid to minimise the impact"
The North-West Norfolk MP told us why something like this is needed:
"I think there's elements of the proposals that could be undergrounded, for example, to reduce the impact of all this near people's homes or landscapes that people enjoy.
"Beyond that they could focus on giving people impacted from all this meaningful compensation.
"I was with a constituent the other week in Walpole St Andrew looking behind his house which might in the not too distant future be home to a battery storage plant.
"There's also a solar plant coming, that's down the road from a substation, that's being expanded and a new substation is coming, as well.
"People just feel that their quality of life is being impacted and this is being done to them.
"I will keep campaigning for these proposals to be changed. I don't think they're going to be dropped wholesale, but we can hopefully influence National Grid to minimise the impact of that as far as possible.
"I hope that they will do the right thing and listen to reasonable points of view".
What's being proposed?
-Eastern Green Link 3 and Eastern Green Link 4:
These are two off-shore over-head power-lines that would run between Scotland and England, and make landfall in Lincolnshire and run through to Walpole, in West Norfolk.
This would also come with with converter stations and other onshore infrastructure.
National Grid says it's planning to submit a Development Consent Order for the project to the Planning Inspectorate in August.
-Grimsby to Walpole: this is a 140 kilometre overhead line that would run between Northeast Lincolnshire and North Norfolk.
National Grid says it wants to submit it's Development Consent Order by Summer 2027.
Findings from the MP's survey, in more detail:
According to work from James Wild's office 90% of those who responded said they opposed the Eastern Green Link 3 & 4 project.
While another 91% said they oppose the Grimsby to Walpole overhead transmission line.
Only 3% of respondents considered either project acceptable as currently proposed.
Key areas of concern
Loss of agricultural land:
Eastern Green Link: 76%
Grimsby to Walpole: 65%
Visual impact:
Eastern Green Link: 74%
Grimsby to Walpole: 74%
Construction disruption:
Eastern Green Link: 70%
Grimsby to Walpole 60%
What's the developer said on this?
A National Grid spokesperson said: "We recognise there are a range of views about new electricity infrastructure and we are grateful to everyone who took part in our consultations. Across Norfolk and Lincolnshire nearly 5000 people attended public events and online webinars for the Eastern Green Link 3 and 4 and Grimsby to Walpole consultations, and more than 9000 pieces of feedback were submitted, all of which is carefully reviewed as proposals are refined.
“Any plans we bring forward are always subject to rigorous examination through the planning process, including detailed environmental plans and traffic assessments submitted to local authorities, along with scrutiny by the Planning Inspectorate, the Secretary of State and statutory consultees.
“These projects are being developed to meet a clear energy need for Lincolnshire, Norfolk and beyond. With Britain’s electricity demand expected to double in the coming years, upgrading the grid is essential to maintain energy security and connect homes and businesses to home-grown energy from more affordable sources, while ensuring communities that host new infrastructure share in the benefits.”