COUNCIL bosses are calling for an undersea alternative to controversial plans to build 110 miles of pylons across East Anglia.

National Grid's proposal is part of a planned 400kV electricity transmission line between Norwich and Tilbury, called the East Anglia Green Energy Enablement project.

The company says the line is needed to carry electricity from offshore wind turbines and has proposed to run cables underground the Dedham Vale area of outstanding natural beauty.

Concerns over the project have been raised by raised by six East Anglian MPs, several councils and campaign groups, with one council branding the plans the "industrialisation of the countryside".

The network will run south easterly past Washbrook and Copdock and East Bergholt until it crosses the border into the Colchester district, running underground past Dedham, Langham and crossing the A12.

A letter written on behalf of Colchester Council leader David King and planning boss Andrea Luxford-Vaughan called on National Grid to provide a report exploring alternative methods.

It calls for consideration of "alternative undersea connection technologies", adding this would "avoid the need for potentially disruptive and visually intrusive onshore connection".

It adds: "We request that the project is held in abeyance until the promised report setting out the rationale for rejecting an offshore alternative to the proposed project is published and an opportunity provided for public engagement.

"Our council is committed to reducing emissions and encouraging renewable energy, but believes a strategic and coordinated approach is essential to avoid unnecessary adverse impacts and maximise public support.

"To that end, an independent review of these issues would inspire greater public confidence that all potential alternatives have been thoroughly explored and consulted upon."

Ms Luxford-Vaughan previously told the Gazette: “The adverse impact of the proposed scheme on our landscape and local amenity is huge.

“It is unacceptable to construct an entirely separate line of pylons west of the existing corridor and National Grid need to listen to the concerns that our residents and the experts in our planning team."

Liam Walker, project director at East Anglia GREEN previously told the Gazette: “National policy sets out that in most cases overhead cables are an appropriate solution but, of course, we understand that landscape and visual impacts are an issue."