National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) has recently held a non-statutory consultation regarding the East Anglia Green Energy Enablement (GREEN) project. East Anglia GREEN is a proposal to build a new high voltage network reinforcement between Norwich, Bramford and Tilbury. This project is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

This report provides an overview of the project and its potential impacts on Brentwood borough. A draft response had been submitted to comply with the consultation deadline and is subject to committee approval in line with the recommendation (Appendix A). The response objects to the proposed East Anglia GREEN scheme on the basis that it has not been clearly explained why an offshore route cannot be provided, direct impacts on the delivery of Dunton Hills Garden Village, and impacts on Green Belt, heritage, landscape and ecology. This is consistent with other responses from affected local authorities, including Essex County Council (Appendix B) and leaders (Appendix C).

This non-statutory consultation is the starting point for the project. There will be further statutory consultation in 2023. The council requests further ongoing

engagement with National Grid on the scheme to help resolve its objections.

Members thanked Phil Drane and the team for the work undertaken and were very supportive.

Members were pleased that 13 MPs were in support including Alex Burghart MP.

After a full discussion, Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED the recommendations in the report. A vote was taken and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.

Members were asked to:

R1. Approve the response to the East Anglia GREEN non-statutory consultation, as set out in Appendix A.