Representation by Tony Munden
- Date submitted
- 15 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I agree with and support all representations being made by Friston Parish Council, Substation Action Save East Suffolk (SASES) and Suffolk Energy Action Solutions (SEAS) Groups. Whilst I am in favour of, and completely understand the need for renewable energy I feel that the ad-hoc method of construction is totally unacceptable, with each development company building massive substations onshore. I believe that these projects should be nationally coordinated and as such a public enquiry should be held regarding this project. I live approximately ½ mile north of the proposed site and object to the proposed development by Scottish Power of East Anglia One North on the following grounds:- • Close proximity to the rural quiet village of Friston which includes several grade 11 listed buildings – one of which is one of the closest buildings to the site. The severe visual impact this will have on the surrounding countryside, even with the mitigation planting (15 year view) will still leave the site highly visible (per SPR visualisation) some of which are misleading as they do not show the close proximity to the village, and some viewpoints are shown on different scales. • Loss of circa 30 acres of valuable grade 2 and 3 agricultural land, trees and wildlife habitats • Noise pollution – from the transformers and in particular the Harmonic Filters which have been identified as the noisiest 18m high structures that are not screened which will disturb both residents and wildlife. • Light pollution both during the construction phase (24 hour security lighting) and during operation for security, car park, maintenance etc. Currently there are no lights in the area at all. • Loss of footpaths to walk particularly between Friston and Little Moor Farm, the alternative is to go alongside Grove Road which is very narrow and twisting in places, dangerous to walk along and also will pass the substation with its noise and visual impact. There are no pedestrian pavement nor grass verge to walk on. It is heavily used at present as a cut through to the various villages / towns and used by farm vehicles. • During construction SPR have made assurances about HGV vehicles only using approved routes but the workforce will be free to use roads such as Grove Road which is as mentioned above already heavily used by local traffic • The deterioration in property value / unable to sell with massive project in the area. Reluctance of people to move into the area, because of site and its impact. • There are no onshore jobs (post construction) for the area • Damage to tourism – potential loss of jobs • Increased Flood risk to Friston village • Cable Landfall at Thorpeness with the crumbling cliffs – where a person was killed about 2 years ago due to the fragility of the cliffs. • Loss of woodland along the cable route