‘Not just a Weston Marsh issue’: Campaigners warn substation plans could hit every Lincolnshire household
Campaigners in Lincolnshire say residents across the county should urgently take part in National Grid’s targeted consultation on two proposed substations at Weston Marsh — warning that the plans could place further pressure on rural communities already feeling overwhelmed by major infrastructure proposals.
As reported, National Grid is inviting local people to share their views on detailed designs of the two new substations.
The proposed new infrastructure, the energy giant says, will help “connect homegrown, secure energy from more affordable sources and meet growing demand in Lincolnshire”.
The latest consultation, launched in the run-up to Christmas, focuses specifically on Weston Marsh and its two proposed substations.
However, campaigners argue this narrow framing fails to explain that these sites would act as key connection points for a series of major national and offshore energy schemes, including the Grimsby to Walpole project, Weston to East Leicestershire, the Ossian and Outer Dowsing offshore wind farms, and the Meridian solar farm.
“This is not just about Weston Marsh,” said Cat Makinson of Lincolnshire Against Needless Destruction (LAND). “These substations are the key connection for energy projects across Lincolnshire. If people don’t speak up now, decisions will be made without their input.”
LAND says the cumulative cost of multiple overlapping energy projects is already being passed on to consumers, contributing to rising energy bills at a time when many households are struggling.
At the same time, they warn that Lincolnshire — which produces up to 40% of the UK’s fresh vegetables — is seeing increasing areas of high-grade farmland earmarked for energy infrastructure.
Campaigners argue this threatens both local livelihoods and national food security. “These decisions are being made without any joined-up strategic thinking,” said Ms Makinson. “Every project is being pushed through as though it exists in isolation.”
Another key concern is what campaigners describe as a lack of transparency. They say National Grid’s intention to fast-track Substation A separately through South Holland District Council — ahead of the main Grimsby to Walpole application entering the national planning process — risks creating confusion and reducing scrutiny.
“This is a calculated and confusing move by National Grid,” a spokesperson for the group said. “We have been bombarded with various consultations for pylons, cables and solar farms. People are quite rightly fed up and confused with it all. Each consultation brings with it thousands of pages of information, and only a short time frame to digest and respond — made even more difficult by overlapping and fragmented proposals.”
Campaigners have also written to Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, inviting him to meet with affected communities. They say they have not yet received a response.
The timing of the consultation — one of the busiest periods of the year — is also being challenged.
Campaigners say communities along the wider Grimsby to Walpole corridor, who may be equally affected, might not even realise they can respond to the Weston Marsh consultation, let alone find the time to do so before the December 19 deadline.
Key issues raised by campaigners include:
Lack of wider consultation: Communities along the Grimsby–Walpole route and associated project areas not fully engaged.
Timing: Consultation launched in the run-up to Christmas, limiting public participation.
Transparency: Concerns about the fast-tracking of Substation A via a separate planning route.
Cumulative impacts: Multiple energy projects linked to Weston Marsh substations but not clearly explained in consultation materials.
Rising energy and food prices: Costs of infrastructure passed to consumers; loss of productive farmland threatens food security.
Campaigners are urging anyone concerned about pylons, substations or wider energy infrastructure in Lincolnshire to respond to the consultation before the deadline . Template objection letters and guidance has been made available at www.lincsland.co.uk.
“This consultation is part of the Grimsby to Walpole proposal,” Ms Makinson said. “We need everyone — not just Weston Marsh — to take part."
In a response from National Grid, a spokesperson said: "As promised, National Grid is now sharing more detailed plans for the Weston Marsh substations with people living and working in the local area.
"We are grateful to everyone who has already provided feedback on proposals during the two previous consultations across Lincolnshire, which saw around 4000 people attend and nearly 9000 pieces of feedback submitted.
"This localised consultation in the Weston Marsh area is part of our planned consultation process, and we wanted to share our plans with local residents as soon as possible, so they can review the proposals and provide their feedback before the consultation closes on December 19.”
Local residents can find out more and provide feedback at:
Friday 28 November, 2–7pm: Weston Village Hall, Small Drove, Weston
Saturday 29 November, 11am–4pm: Moulton Seas End Village Hall, 21 Seas End Rd, Spalding
Online webinar: Wednesday 3 December, 6.30–7:30pm
Further details and feedback forms are available at nationalgrid.com/g-w or by emailing [email protected].
The Skegness Standard has contacted National Grid for an updated comment and will publish their response when received.