The protest took place in Saxmundham against energy infrastructure plans

Around 200 protesters marched through Saxmundham on Saturday

Mousumi Bakshi/BBC A group of protesters wearing high-visibility jackets holding placards) outside the square — Around 200 protesters marched through Saxmundham on Saturday

Around 200 campaigners gathered in a Suffolk town on Saturday to protest plans for power substations.

LionLink and SeaLink offshore wind projects conversion stations are to be built on the outskirts of Saxmundham and a substation built in nearby Friston.

National Grid, which is behind the plans, said the proposed Sea Link, LionLink and Nautilus projects were essential to meet the government’s clean energy target.

But locals fighting to keep the project out of their town said the infrastructure impact would be “considerable”.

Campaign group Suxmundham Against Needless Destruction said the proposed projects would have a “significant impact”

Mousumi Bakshi/BBC Activists wearing high-visibility green jackets holding a poster — Campaign group Suxmundham Against Needless Destruction said the proposed projects would have a “significant impact”

Charlotte Fox, from Saxmundham Against Needless Destruction, said the energy projects would impact “the population, the economy and the environment” and provide “no gain” for the area.

“We have two Scottish Power substations in Friston with the connection point to the national grid, so that’s three substations and a sizeable nuclear station at Sizewell and the four connection stations at Saxmundham. It’s a lot,” she said.

Charlotte Fox said the infrastructure impact would be “considerable”

Mousumi Bakshi/BBC Charlotte Fox wears a green and cream top and blue coat — Charlotte Fox said the infrastructure impact would be “considerable”

Fiona Gilmore, of Offhsore4sure, described the project as “disproportionate”.

“Around 30% of the UK’s energy comes through a historic market,” she said.

John Findlay said the local council had a plan A for opposing the plans and a plan B for mitigation options

Mousumi Bakshi/BBC John Findlay wearing a dark blue shirt and dark blue blazer, looking at the camera — John Findlay said the local council had a plan A for opposing the plans and a plan B for mitigation options

Saxmundham town councilor John Findlay said the council believed the projects were in the wrong place.

“There’s a whole variety of views in the city. Some people think we should fight tooth and nail for this. Others say it’s going to happen and we should try to get as much mitigation as possible,” he said .

“We are not opposed to energy restructuring. But we think they are in the wrong place.”

East Suffolk Councilor Tom Daley said: “The problem is that this part of Suffolk is being turned into an energy super-hub.

“All is not lost. We are talking to National Grid and all the applicants to bring it all together in a strategic way that is best for the environment and our communities.”

Protesters gathered to voice their concerns over the proposals

Mousumi Bakshi/BBC Protesters in the city center holding placards. Many of them wear high-visibility green jackets — Protesters gathered to voice their concerns over the proposals

A National Grid spokesman said: “We will work closely with Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council to ensure that any building work is completed with minimal disruption to neighboring areas, subject to approval from the Planning Inspectorate.” .