The RSPB has called on National Grid not to "steam roll" through protected areas of Suffolk coastal nature, asking them to withdraw their "nature-damaging" energy cable plans.

National Grid is proposing that new undersea energy cables could emerge onto land and pass through the middle of two Suffolk nature reserves of national importance - RSPB North Warren and RSPB Minsmere.

East Anglian Daily Times: RSPB Suffolk Area Manager Adam Rowlands.RSPB Suffolk Area Manager Adam Rowlands. (Image: Simon Parker, Newsquest)

RSPB Suffolk area manager Adam Rowlands said that, while they understand the need for local homes and businesses to have electricity, they are "outraged at the complete lack of strategic planning by National Grid" to minimise the impact on the Suffolk coast's nature and wildlife.

He added: "We strongly urge National Grid to remove these nature-damaging proposals and look at alternative routes which would not heavily impact wildlife."

East Anglian Daily Times: Stone curlew Oedicnemus burhinus, adults sitting at their nest.Stone curlew Oedicnemus burhinus, adults sitting at their nest. (Image: Andy Hay, RSPB)

Currently celebrating its 75th anniversary, RSPB Minsmere near Saxmundham is home to landscapes which are international conservation priorities.

These include wetlands, shingle vegetation and lowland heath which support species such as the woodlark, nightjar, nightingale and stone curlew.

The nature reserve is already facing disturbance due to the planned Sizewell C power station and could be further affected by the National Grid's proposed EuroLink interconnector cable.

East Anglian Daily Times: European nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, adult roosting during the day on a log.European nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, adult roosting during the day on a log. (Image: Verity Hill, RSPB)

RSPB North Warren, near Aldeburgh, is home to grazing marshes, reedbeds, heathland and woodland, which host thousands of ducks, swans and geese, as well as the breeding bittern and marsh harrier.

The RSPB says the reserve is a "finely balanced set of habitats" and that the species that live there would be particularly susceptible to any disturbance from works at the site.

East Anglian Daily Times: An aerial view of RSPB North Warren on the Suffolk coastline.An aerial view of RSPB North Warren on the Suffolk coastline. (Image: RSPB)

National Grid's current proposals could also see electric interconnector cables pass through the middle of the Leiston/Aldeburgh Special Site of Scientific Interest and through part of the Minsmere/Walberswich Special Protection Area, posing risks to the local flora and fauna.

The RSPB encourages anyone concerned about the possibility of the project having adverse effects to "make their voices heard" and participate in the National Grid's consultation before the Sunday, December 18 deadline.

A statement from National Grid said: "Our proposals for Sea Link and Eurolink will enable clean electricity to connect to the grid and power homes and businesses, boosting our home-grown energy supplies and progress towards net zero."

Details of the Eurolink proposal and Sea Link proposal can be found on the National Grid website.