Rethink Sea Link

What next?

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.

Responding to a DCO guidance

Continue speaking up for nature

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. 

We're calling for National Grid to withdraw their DCO application

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to the Examining Authority requesting that National Grid’s Sea Link Development Consent Order (DCO) application be withdrawn, citing serious legal, procedural, and environmental failings.

Read the letterRead the press release

Registering as an interested party - now closed

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.

Read our Relevant Representation

Our response outlines these concerns:

• We are supportive of steps taken to develop renewable energy solutions, but it must not be at the cost of wildlife. 
• We are not convinced that the proposed route can be adequately mitigated. 
• Our concern at the use of desktop surveys as a replacement to fuller and more detailed ecological surveys. 
• The failure to carry out reptile, bat, water vole, otter, beaver, badger, invertebrate, and river aquatic surveys before the plans are submitted for a Development Consent Order (DCO). 
• The loss of connectivity for wildlife through the development of 13.6 hectares of wildlife-rich land. 

Our asks:

• We want National Grid to recognise the damage caused by Nemo Link and provide a detailed assessment to ensure improvements are made. 
• We urge National Grid to review alternative routes for Sea Link. 

You can still write to Secretary of State, Ed Miliband 

Those wishing to support the Rethink Sea Link Campaign can email Secretary of State, Ed Miliband via [email protected] 

Points to consider raising: 

• As a resident of Kent, you are concerned about the impact that National Grid’s Sea Link Project will have on wildlife when alternative routes are available. 
• The recent U-turn by Ofgem provides a viable alternative option is available to the project. 
• Examine bigger, joined up solutions - pooling offshore energy resources enable cost efficiencies, saving billions in infrastructure costs. 
• Transporting energy offshore from generation sites closer to demand reduces grid constraints and minimises reliance on fossil fuel backups. 
• Offshore energy transport streamlines planning processes, cutting costs tied to route permissions and compulsory land purchases. 
• Utilising brownfield onshore sites offers faster planning approvals, promotes local economic regeneration, and reduces environmental and community impacts. 

Read our blog