A series of meetings will be held across East Suffolk as a proposed new electricity link between the UK and the Netherlands comes under scrutiny.

What would be the first-of-its-kind electricity connection that could power up to 1.8 million homes, could see areas around Southwold and Walberswick affected by the new proposals.

Lowestoft Journal: LionLink. Picture: LionLink ProjectLionLink. Picture: LionLink Project (Image: LionLink Project)

Earlier this year the Government announced that LionLink - which would connect the two countries to each other and to offshore wind farms in the North Sea - will be the “world’s largest multi-use electricity power line”.

However, the proposals have sparked major concerns - with the impact on environmentally protected areas and rural communities in East Suffolk highlighted.

With a consultation now under way for National Grid Venture’s LionLink project - which runs until November 3 - three events will be held in East Suffolk.

It comes as National Grid Ventures has identified an alternative landfall site at Walberswick and a cable route north of Southwold among proposals.

A LionLink Project spokesman said: "Following the 2022 non-statutory consultation, we are refining our proposals.

Lowestoft Journal: LionLink proposals. Picture: LionLink ProjectLionLink proposals. Picture: LionLink Project (Image: LionLink Project)

"In response to feedback around traffic and access (particularly around Walberswick), an alternative landfall site at Walberswick has been identified, which could reduce access constraints and traffic impacts.

"An alternative onshore underground cable corridor to the north of Southwold has been identified, which may reduce impacts on designated sites of ecological importance."

The meetings will take place on Friday, September 22 at Reydon Village Hall (2pm to 8pm); Saturday, September 23 at Walberswick Village Hall (10am to 4pm) and on Friday, October 6 at Leiston Community Centre (2pm to 8pm).

Two webinars will also be held next month.

Last month, Suffolk County Council expressed fears over the proposals.

Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for Finance and Environment, said: "The impact of these proposals on communities in and around Southwold and Walberswick could be stark."

Ahead of Saturday's consultation meeting in Walberswick, the parish council meeting to discuss LionLink earlier this month attracted almost 100 people.

To view the consultation materials and find out more about the Lionlink project, visit its website online.