NEW homes on the border of Basildon and Thurrock could now be less attractive to buyers after plans for a major new 400kV power line were revealed.

The proposals, published last week, would see overhead power lines, suspended by 45 to 50 metre-tall steel lattice pylons, potentially dominate Dunton Garden Village, a new development to the south of the A127.

The National Grid has opened a consultation which will run until Thursday, June 16.

Russell Quirk, an Essex-based property expert, said the power line could affect people’s enthusiasm to buy the new properties.

He said: “Unfortunately, home buyers become pretty spooked by what they may consider intrusive infrastructure.

“Whilst the data may say that living beneath such a power line is safe, sentiment from would-be home purchasers may well be affected by the thought of a gazillion volts of electricity hovering over their heads.

“It reminds me of mobile telephone masts and the uproar that were is when these are proposed in localities near to residential properties. Should it matter? No. Will it? I suspect it rather might.”

As well as the current consultation, there will be another opportunity to comment on the proposals before National Grid submits their plans to the Planning Inspectorate in late 2024.

Under the scheme, the lines would pass into Essex past Chelmsford, cross the A12 and the railway in the north of the Brentwood district, before going south and crossing multiple times between the Basildon and Brentwood districts, and to the west of Billericay.

The National Grid says the reinforcement is needed to carry more renewable and low-carbon power, as well as new proposed nuclear generation at Sizewell C. It expects its new 180 km long connection between Suffolk and Tilbury – of which one section runs through Brentwood – to be completed by 2030.

As the project is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project a final decision will rest with the Secretary of State.

Dunton Garden Village is expected see the first 1,650 homes built in the next 11 years.

A spokesman for Brentwood Borough Council said: “The council are currently reviewing the proposals put forward by National Grid and will respond to the consultation before it closes next month.”