Wildlife Trust Seeks Public Input on Sea Link Project

Campaigners, led by the Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT), are urging the public to voice their opinions on the National Grid's Sea Link project, which proposes to install a 90-mile undersea electricity cable connecting Kent to Suffolk. The cable is set to come ashore near Sandwich in Kent and between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh in Suffolk. KWT has expressed significant concerns regarding the potential impact of the cable's route on local wildlife, particularly in the bay and the Minster Marshes. In December, KWT launched the 'Rethink Sea Link' campaign, advocating for the National Grid to consider alternative routes that would minimize harm to the environment. While the trust supports renewable energy initiatives, they emphasize that such projects should not come at the expense of wildlife conservation. The organization is also backing the 'Save Minster Marshes Campaign', which highlights the area's importance as a wildlife corridor. Emma Waller, KWT's planning and policy officer, articulated the trust's position, stating that the current proposed route could cause "untold harm" to the natural environment. She pointed out that despite the presence of Kent's largest population of seals in the area, no physical surveys of these marine mammals have been conducted. Waller expressed her concerns over the lack of transparency from the National Grid regarding their decision-making process and the selection of this environmentally sensitive site. The KWT is calling for greater public engagement and awareness as the project moves forward, emphasizing the need to balance renewable energy development with the preservation of vital ecosystems.