Campaigners trying to stop miles of 50-metre-high pylons being built over the Norfolk and Suffolk countryside have said they do not want "token cash bribes" from the government.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak said communities affected by new infrastructure schemes should benefit in turn - potentially through compensation or energy bill discounts.
But his suggestion was given short shrift by members of the Action group Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons, which is opposing proposals for 112 miles of overhead pylons stretching from Dunston, near Norwich to Tilbury in Essex.
Mr Sunak recently said he wanted to "speed up planning for the most nationally significant projects".
Speaking to BBC Look East, Mr Sunak said it was important that the needs of local communities were taken into account and that they had a say.
He also said: "We want to make sure local people benefit whether it's through bill discounts or other financial compensation.
"We're consulting to see how best that could work with the energy companies and local communities, saying if stuff is coming near your area are there ways that the local community, which is doing something which is great for the country by helping us to decarbonise and increase our energy security, benefit."
But Rosie Pearson, founder of the Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons group, said: "Prime minister Rishi Sunak's plan to offer token cash bribes to communities to accept pylons misses the point.
"We don’t need petty cash for pylons. The government seems to think that by offering us a playground or a token electricity bill discount we will accept pylon monstrosities."
READ MORE: New protest to be held over plans for Norfolk pylons
She said pylons should be a "last, not first, resort" and called for an offshore grid instead.
She said: "An offshore grid will be faster, better and cheaper than the current, unplanned process which inflicts twice as much transmission infrastructure on the region."
Saturday will see a protest against National Grid's plans for the pylons at Wortham Ling, close to the Norfolk and Suffolk border.
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