Pylon campaigners have accused the Government of trying to 'bribe' Suffolk and Essex homeowners living in the path of 50-metre high pylons by offering compensation payments.
Action group Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons said residents on the 110 mile pylon route between the two counties would not accept "token cash bribes" in exchange for the "monstrosities".
A Government-commissioned review by energy industry expert Nick Winser recommended that homeowners should receive lump sum payments from operators as a way of speeding up the construction of new infrastructure to connect with renewable energy.
READ MORE: National Grid 'arrogance' over Suffolk pylon consultation
The review was looking at ways to reduce the time taken to develop new projects involving the transmission of renewable energy, including from offshore wind farms such as East Anglia ONE and TWO.
The group's founder Rosie Pearson said: "Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plan to offer token cash bribes to communities to accept pylons misses the point.
"We don’t need petty cash for pylons. The government seems to think that by offering us a playground or a token electricity bill discount we will accept pylon monstrosities."
READ MORE: Suffolk pylons: Campaigners' World Heritage listing delight
She added pylons should be a "last, not first, resort" and called for an offshore grid to be created instead to carry electricity to where it was needed.
She said: "An offshore grid will be faster, better and cheaper than the current, unplanned process which inflicts twice as much transmission infrastructure on the region.
"When transmission infrastructure is built, the key issue that concerns communities is compensation - full compensation for the impact on their business or for the inability to sell their home.
"A new playground or piffling discount on an electricity bill does not cut the mustard and will not help infrastructure to get built faster," she said.
READ MORE: Suffolk and Essex: Concerns about second pylon consultation
Rosie added the "headlong rush" to pylons would destroy habitats and countryside and would affect businesses and farmers that have to farm the land.
He outlined how residents could work together to fight National Grid's plans and make the case for an alternative offshore grid.
He said: "I continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with residents in opposition to the Norwich to Tilbury plans.
"We must do all that we can to protect the countryside and to properly examine alternative routes for energy transmission and in particular the type of offshore options which have worked well in Scotland and elsewhere in the country.
READ MORE: Suffolk news
“Whilst it is important to recognise that we must deliver greater reliability, capacity and security in our energy infrastructure, this simply cannot be at any cost and I will continue to do all that I can to support local residents and to hold National Grid to account.”
In June, the campaigners accused National Grid of 'arrogance' for continuing to proceed with a second public consultation into the pylon plans despite a Government review and widespread opposition from 'MPs, councils and 23,000 people'.
In March, the EADT reported a Government U-turn on an initial decision to refuse the review, to be conducted by National Grid's Electricity System Operator (ESO), which would consider offshore routes as a possible alternative.
However, the review will not be held until after the consultation, a situation regarded by the campaigners as a "whitewash".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here