September update

This newsletter provides a brief update on the GPA’s campaign against National Grid’s proposed 400kV overhead power line from Bramford in Suffolk to Twinstead in Essex to its many supporters in south Suffolk.

GPA actions

The GPA continues to remain vigilant and determined to ensure that the countryside and landscape of south Suffolk is protected against the blight of additional pylons. In the next month or so the GPA will:-

• ongoing review: continue to review the responses National Grid has given to the GPA, including to the 19 town and parish councils represented by the GPA

• National Grid meeting: hold a 5^th GPA/National Grid meeting to discuss the GPA’s ongoing concerns directly with the National Grid Bramford to Twinstead project team

• Suffolk County Council meeting: attend a meeting with Suffolk County Council

• legal review: continue to review the GPA’s options with its London lawyers, Macfarlanes, as the process develops

• GPA finances: maintain surplus funds in order to enable the GPA to continue to engage its legal and other advisers for the long term, if required

• planning process: continue to monitor the changing regulatory environment proposed by the coalition government and its affect on the planning process National Grid will have to follow

• conservation review: explore the possibilities for upgrading the landscape designation for the south Suffolk area

National Grid’s current position

It is understood that given the many responses received by National Grid as part of the consultation it is deferring its announcement on the preferred route corridor to enable it to consider all submissions received by it.

The GPA has urged National Grid to provide a formal update to the public and all interested parties as soon as possible to ensure that people are fully informed as to National Grid’s position and the likely timing of the announcement.

Conservation society

As the GPA has previously indicated, it is the GPA’s firm intention to form a new conservation society out of the GPA.

We have received many expressions of support following our announcement on this in our July newsletter and, once the position with National Grid is clearer, will be implementing our plans to create such a society.

What can you do?

JOIN OUR CONSERVATION SOCIETY: Let the GPA know if you would be interested in learning more about its conservation society by contacting the GPA at contact@grotonpylonalliance.co.uk

Next steps

The GPA will keep you updated via further newsletters and/or its website.

Notes: The GPA is a conservation group set up in September 2009 formally representing the interests of 19 villages in south Suffolk in relation to National Grid’s proposed infrastructure project for a new 400kV overhead power line from Bramford near Ipswich to Twinstead near Sudbury. The GPA includes the villages of Groton, Kersey, Boxford, Edwardstone, Aldham, Milden, Chelsworth, Whatfield, Semer, Lindsey, Little Waldingfield, Elmsett, Nedging-with-Naughton, Monks Eleigh, Great Waldingfield, Bildeston, Lavenham, Flowton and Brent Eleigh (with an aggregate population of approximately 10,000).

www.grotonpylonalliance.co.uk            28^th September, 2010