We are asking the National Grid to examine an alternative route for cable linking Suffolk and Kent due to fears that decisions are based on the cheapest cost rather than minimising cost to wildlife at Pegwell Bay.
Sandwich and Pegwell Bay is a haven for wildlife, designated as internationally important and protected by UK law. However, the area and sites around it are under threat. Learn more about the impacts in this blog.
The team recently wrapped up three intense days at the second round of examination hearings for the Sea Link project.
Our Planning and Policy Officer Emma Waller, who is leading on all things Rethink Sea Link for Kent Wildlife Trust, attended virtually, and made verbal representations on relevant agenda items for nature, voicing our concerns.
Kent Wildlife Trust submitted our Written Representation on National Grid’s Sea Link proposal which you can find here.
We’re incredibly proud to say that over 6,000 Relevant Representations were submitted at the earlier stage - the highest number ever recorded for ANY DCO application to date. This is an extraordinary show of people standing up for nature. Now imagine if we matched that record with Written Representations too.
Imagine thousands of voices telling National Grid and the Planning Inspectorate that Pegwell Bay and Minster Marshes are too important to sacrifice, that they must Rethink Sea Link.
The proposed Sea Link is officially in the examination stage of the DCO process.
This week, our Planning Officer, Emma Waller, spoke at both the Issue-specific and Open Floor hearings to make our concerns about the project heard and to urge National Grid to Rethink Sea Link alongside other campaign groups like Save Minster Marshes. You can see Emma make Kent Wildlife Trust's statement in the video below.
The fight to protect Minster Marshes and Pegwell Bay isn’t over yet. The next key stage in the Examination process is the submission of Written Representations by registered Interested Parties, which are due by November 18th.
If you're an Interested Party, this is your opportunity to have your views formally considered by the Examining Authority. If you want to make your voice heard, we’ve created a simple Guidance Document explaining how to take part in the DCO process and submit your comments effectively.
We'll continue to guide you through the Development Consent Order (the legal framework for assessing projects like Sea Link) to make sure your voice is heard and it counts. Just sign up to our Speak Up For Nature mailing list below and stay updated on Sea Link as well as our other advocacy work. We know these processes can be long and confusing, so we'll be there with you every step of the way.
A coalition of conservation organisations and local campaign groups – including Kent Wildlife Trust, Suffolk Energy Action Solutions, CPRE Kent, Save Minster Marshes, the Seal Research Trust, British Divers Marine Life Rescue, the Suffolk Preservation Society, Walberswick Against Lion Link, Saxmundham Against Needless Destruction and Sir Roger Gale MP Herne Bay and Sandwich – have formally written to the Examining Authority requesting that National Grid’s Sea Link Development Consent Order (DCO) application be withdrawn, citing serious legal, procedural, and environmental failings.
Thank you to those of you that registered as an interested party!
Only those who have registered as an interested party can continue to comment on the planning process. The deadline for registrations as an interested party was August 18th 2025.
When registering as an interested party, you need to submit a Relevant Representation, summarising your concerns of the project. You can read our own Relevant Representation below.
Our response outlines these concerns:
Our asks:
Those wishing to support the Rethink Sea Link Campaign can email Secretary of State, Ed Miliband via [email protected]
Points to consider raising:
Rob Smith joins Kent Wildlife Trust's Nina Jones, Steve Weeks, and Emma Waller, as well as Save Minster Marshes' Nik Mitchell, to talk about National Grid's Sea Link plans - a cable, converter, and sub stations that could have devastating impacts on these…
The UK Government has launched an attack on nature, weakening the laws that protect our wildlife and making a U-turn on manifesto promises to be the greenest Government ever.
