Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Suffolk MP on National Grid plans

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, who became the constituency's new Labour MP following the general election in July, was responding to consultations by power firm National Grid concerning a number of different energy projects on the Suffolk coast.

These included the Sea Link cable to deliver electricity produced by offshore wind farms to Suffolk and Kent and the Nautilus interconnector to take power from the wind farms to the UK and Belgium.

READ MORE: Suffolk upset over Nautilus decision to route to Friston

A further project under scrutiny was the LionLink interconnector to carry power between the UK and Netherlands.

Although she restated the new Labour government's commitment to providing "clean and green energy," she called for the concerns of local communities to be taken into consideration.

A number of campaign groups have been formed against the plans, including Suffolk Energy Action Solutions (SEAS), with communities being especially concerned about the impact of the developments on the countryside.

READ MORE: Concerns over proposed electricity link between UK and the Netherlands

The energy infrastructure projects will bring electricity ashore from wind farms (Image: JULIAN CLAXTON/CHV) A new substation is set to be built at Friston to receive electricity cabling from the wind farms, along with a converter station at Saxmundham.

Mrs Riddell-Carpenter said: “Understanding needs to be given to the concerns raised about the cumulative impact these multiple projects on the Suffolk coast will have – to our communities, the mental health and wellbeing of many residents, as well as the detrimental impact it will have to our local economy and our natural environment and wildlife.

“With ambition and vision, these challenges can be overcome – but it requires a determination to balance multiple interests at once and to listen to the concerns of our local community.”

READ MORE: Saxmundham news

She said it was "common sense" for energy projects to be closer to the demand and avoid "needless destruction" of the Suffolk countryside and coast.

Mrs Riddell-Carpenter also called for greater consideration of the idea of an offshore grid, supported by campaigners, which would prevent the need to bring cables onshore.

She added: “By following our current piecemeal approach for each of the Nautilus or Sea Link and LionLink projects, we are missing our chance to fundamentally reshape our energy network and make it fit for the next 50 years and beyond.

"The lack of coordination between these projects means we will miss the opportunity to understand or plan for the cumulative impact of these projects.

"The consequences of this cannot be overstated. If we fail to consider this cumulative impact, then we will fail to support the local communities (and the local environment) who are most affected by these works.”