A consultation has begun on a controversial 90-mile electricity infrastructure project linking Kent with Suffolk.

While the majority of the project is offshore, the proposals include onshore stations in Minster, near Ramsgate and Richborough, near Sandwich.

National Grid is encouraging communities who live in the area to comment on the plans as part of an eight-week consultation process.

The 60,000 square metre converter station at Minster marshes in the Stour Valley has caused concern among residents concerned about local wildlife.

Sea Link involves constructing an electricity cable on the sea bed which the National Grid says will help deliver the UK’s net zero targets.

The subsea cable is intended to provide a two gigawatt, high voltage direct current electricity connection.

Adrian Pierssene, project director for Sea Link, said: “This reinforcement between Suffolk and Kent is essential in the UK’s journey to net zero by 2050 and is part of a wider programme to upgrade the entire network.

“We look forward to hearing views from members of the public and we welcome feedback on our proposals.”

If the plans were approved, the converter station built would be 26 metres tall and have safety installations including lightning protection and walkways.

But residents have already raised concerns that the proposals will have an impact on the countryside and the wildlife rich Minster marshes.

A ‘Save Minster Marshes’ campaign has been launched to oppose the Sea Link project and a petition published last month has already garnered over 5,000 signatures.

In its statement accompanying the petition, the campaign said: “Minster marshes is a critical ecological super highway connecting a site of special scientific interest with the rest of the country.

“It is home to hundreds of bird species, many of which are on the endangered list. The National Grid is proposing to build across this vital landscape devastating the local ecology.”

However the National Grid says it plans to use the infrastructure project to promote a net gain in biodiversity and leave the area enhanced.

The consultation began today and ends on December 18.

To share their plans, the National Grid is hosting a series of public information exhibitions in the county.

These are scheduled at Cliffsend Village Hall on November 15 (2.30pm-7.30pm) and November 29 (2pm-7pm), the Guildhall in Sandwich on November 17 (10am-3pm) and Royal Harbour Academy, Ramsgate on Saturday, December 2 (11am-3pm).

Another will be held in Minster Village Hall on Thursday, November 16 (12pm-5.30pm) and an ‘ask the experts’ session will be held at the Royal Harbour Academy, Ramsgate on Friday, December 1 (2pm-6pm).

A link to the consultation can be found here.

A development consent order will be required for the project to go ahead, with the National Grid’s preferred route from a landfall in Pegwell Bay to the proposed converter station in Minster.