The visit took place earlier today following an invitation from Councillor Julia Ewart, Chair of Suffolk County Council's Scrutiny Committee. The visit provided a chance for Councillor Gale to engage with residents, community representatives, and local stakeholders. This was Councillor Gale's opportunity to understand and see through their eyes of what detrimental impact that multiple energy infrastructure projects to be signed off by the government will do to such a small coastal area.
During the visit, Councillor Gale welcomed members of the East Suffolk Communities Energy Partnership (ESCEP) and other local representatives to discuss issues relating to the construction of Sizewell C and several future proposals being brought forward by National Grid and Scottish Power.
This engagement forms part of a wider programme where Councillor Gale is keen to visit and engage with all communities affected by NSIP's in Suffolk, including energy transmission infrastructure, renewable energy developments, battery energy storage facilities and water infrastructure schemes. These projects are delivered on the authority of the Secretary of State meaning Suffolk County Council and local communities have to fight hard to get the best deal.
Councillor Gale has used the insights gathered through local discussions to help update the Council's policy on NSIP's in the aid of preserving the remarkable Suffolk Heritage and countryside.
Councillor Tristan Gale, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Devolution and the Fire Service, said:
"It is imperative that we continue to listen to communities across Suffolk and understand first-hand how major infrastructure projects are affecting people's lives, local environments and the places we all care about.
"Suffolk has the highest concentration of National Strategic Infrastructure Projects in the country. It is wholly unacceptable for us to find ourselves in the position that our beautiful countryside and coastal towns become the backstop for this government to carve up Suffolk at the detriment of our local communities
"We will continue to objectively engage with project promoters and government, while fighting for the interests of Suffolk's communities and environment. We will work to ensure that the impacts of these developments are the best deal that we can get for our residents making sure that opportunities to reduce disruption and improve coordination are always explored.
"As further infrastructure projects land in Suffolk, it is essential that communities remain at the heart of the conversation and that those responsible for delivering projects take ownership to minimise the impacts."
Suffolk County Council's revised Energy, Water, Commercial Transport, Climate and Adaptive Infrastructure Policy is due to be considered by Cabinet on 12 November 2026.
