A Suffolk district council has written to object to a project to bring energy onshore from wind farms as part of a public consultation.

East Suffolk Council has raised a number of concerns as part of the consultation into the Sea Link scheme and called for 'offshore solutions' to be given further consideration.

Electricity and gas firm National Grid is planning the 145km offshore cable connection between Suffolk and Kent, which currently includes plans to route cabling via a substation at Friston and converter station at Saxmundham.

READ MORE: National Grid consider study on Suffolk cables proposals

However, campaign groups are opposed to the plans, including Suffolk Energy Action Solutions (SEAS), due to concerns about damage to the Suffolk countryside caused by the cabling.

Now East Suffolk Council has voiced a number of concerns about the project, including a lack of coordination with other nationally significant infrastructure projects proposed locally, along with warnings the proposals would harm the 'communities, environment and economy of east Suffolk'.

The council's response also calls for further consideration of alternatives, including the possibility of creating an offshore grid and further consideration of timing.

READ MORE: Saxmundham council's warning in Sea Link plans response

Councillor Tom Daly, the council's cabinet member for energy and climate change, said: “We recognise the need to deliver infrastructure to help achieve net zero targets, but we must ensure coordination and efficiency in the network to minimise detrimental impacts on the environment and local communities.

“Although we will not decide whether or not the scheme is approved, we are a statutory consultee in the process and we are adamant that the views of those most affected by this project are fully taken into account.”

A number of consultations and webinars have been taking place for the Sea Link project, which began in October and ended on December 18.

Fiona Gilmore, from SEAS, said: "SEAS believes that the impact on local communities, if evaluated fully, would compel the National Grid/Department for Energy Security and Net Zero/ Ofgem collective to think more creatively about offshore solutions and major industrial Hubs. 

"We urge East Suffolk Council to push for these action steps.

READ MORE: Suffolk news