Council to recommend formal objection to Sea Link project

At its cabinet meeting on 13 May 2025, members will be recommended to object to the current proposals for the nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP), which do not adequately address significant issues, including:

• the proposed use of Benhall Railway Bridge on the B1121 for access
• the impacts of the proposed River Fromus crossing, causing significant adverse effects on the local landscape character and heritage assets, including the Grade II listed Hurts Hall and Grade II* listed Church of St John the Baptist
• the inclusion of 7am-5pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays within the core working hours
• a lack of coordination with other projects, most notably the proposed LionLink project

In line with the county council’s Energy and Climate Adaptive Infrastructure Policy, cabinet members will be recommended to recognise the importance of the Sea Link proposals as part of the required infrastructure to connect low carbon energy generation developments that will reduce carbon emissions and support the UK’s energy security.

However, this should not be at the cost of the issues which have been identified and need resolving. This is primarily with local communities in mind and the impacts the project would have on them, under the existing plans.

Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Devolution, Local Government Reform and NSIPs, said:

“I will be recommending to colleagues, that our only position is to continue to object to the current Sea Link plans. We will then do so in front of the Planning Inspectorate during the official Examination.

“One of our key objections is that National Grid's entire plans are predicated on a transport strategy involving bringing huge HGVs over the Benhall Bridge. A structure which can't take large loads, may not be suitable for over-bridging and crosses the important east Suffolk railway line.

“Their failure to provide substantive detail about this, despite repeated meetings with them on the issue, has been hugely disappointing."

The county council has continually made itself available to work with National Grid on the project but has ultimately objected to the plans during various consultations up to this point.

Councillor Rout continues:

“What I find particularly vexing is the lack of coordination with other NSIPs, particularly National Grid’s own LionLink project. We can see that any level of integration could considerably reduce many of these specific issues and community impacts.

“We support the principle of these projects to help bring energy security to our country – but we will not allow our communities to be swept aside without due consideration.

“They are the ones who will feel and see the impacts of these huge projects – if they are to go ahead, despite our objections, we must make sure we do our utmost to get the best outcomes for local residents and businesses.”

It is expected that the Planning Inspectorate will carry out the Examination phase of the planning process late in 2025, or early in 2026.