Campaigners fighting plans to route electricity from offshore wind farms across the Suffolk countryside have been granted a judicial review of their legal challenge.

Suffolk Energy Action Solutions (SEAS) is opposed to plans to route cables from the East Anglia ONE and TWO wind farms through rural areas, fearing the damage caused to the environment.

Instead, the action group has proposed creating an offshore energy grid with power lines laid across the seabed and carrying electricity to where it is needed the most, such as large cities like London.

On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal granted permission for the challenge to go to judicial review.

Anthony Fincham, from SEAS, said: "We are committed to seeing through this legal challenge in the hope of a successful outcome leading to a less environmentally damaging onshoring of electricity generated offshore”.

SEAS founder Fiona Gilmore added: "This offshore grid is an imperative if we are going to achieve 50GWs by 2032.

"There are cost efficiency benefits as well as environmental benefits. The Belgians have been using this Modular Offshore Grid for some years now”.

Last week, the EADT reported how Steve Gallant, leader of East Suffolk Council, dismissed the idea of an offshore grid as an "absolute fantasy".

However, Mrs Gilmore responded that in 2019 South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge interviewed the head of a Belgian electricity network who explained that his firm had been able to create an offshore grid.

The modular network pooled energy from three wind farms at sea and carried the power to a shoreline brownfield site.

She said: “This is no fantasy. This is an imperative.

“The technology is available, it can be done in the same time span, assuming 2032 is now the realistic deadline and the cost efficiencies to be gained for the developers will deliver better value for money for the consumer."

However, a ScottishPower Renewables spokesperson said: “Our East Anglia ONE North and East Anglia TWO offshore windfarms are critical infrastructure projects that will not only help bring more homegrown green electricity on to the grid, but will deliver billions of pounds of investment and support thousands of jobs in the East of England and across the UK.

“Our position on the importance of these projects and the benefits they will bring has been clearly stated – on multiple occasions – throughout the consenting and legal processes and we remain committed to delivering them as quickly as possible to achieve the clean energy future we all want – and need.”