As the proposals are known as a ‘National Infrastructure Project’, NG have to apply for planning from the Planning Inspectorate rather than the local authority. At first, National Grid didn’t want to know. But I persisted, and eventually, National Grid ESO (now NESO, and separate from National Grid) agreed to do an independent study of the different options for Norwich-Tilbury. So I will be opposing the pylons – and supporting underground HVDC as a better, fairer option for my constituents, and our countryside. James Cartlidge is Conservative MP for South Suffolk