Sea Link: ‘we are not sure the right boxes are now even being ticked’

Serious concerns about the transparency and inclusivity of the consultation process

In January, we urged supporters of the campaign to save Minster Marshes from the ravages of National Grid’s Sea Link scheme to make their views known in the latest consultation.

We reported how the consultation on NG’s revised plans had been criticised for its limited range and lack of publicity.

It was aimed only at “affected persons with an interest in the land”, but we and many others agreed with the Save Minster Marshes group that “everyone who lives, works or enjoys the natural environment at Pegwell Bay and Minster Marshes” should have the chance to be involved.

So it goes without saying that CPRE Kent has made a substantial representation to the consultation – and we haven’t pulled our punches.

In our response we say: “CPRE Kent is extremely concerned about the way National Grid is undertaking its pre-application consultation for the Sea Link project’s design amendments.

“It is extremely concerning that we, and other stakeholders, have only become aware of these proposed changes through local news media, and only very recently, especially given the short timeframe for responses. This raises serious concerns about the transparency and inclusivity of the consultation process.

“As we stated in our response to the July 2024 consultation, it had already felt like the pre-application consultation process was being treated merely as a ‘tick-box’ exercise. With the latest update documents seemingly being quietly uploaded to the project website, with only a very select number of stakeholders being informed, we are not sure the right boxes are now even being ticked.”

We go on to give a substantial, and severe, critique of NG’s behaviour both in relation to the latest consultation and its ineffectual response to stakeholders’ concerns aired in previous consultations.

To read the CPRE Kent response to the pre-application consultation, click here