Representation by Christine Ive
- Date submitted
- 17 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Relevant Representations to the National Inspectorate Heritage Coast V Energy Coast I support the Relevant Repesentations of Friston Parish Council in conjunction with the SASES Action Group. My objections are to the ONSHORE element of these proposals which will totally destroy large areas of Rural Suffolk countryside irrevocably. Friston is at the heart of this countryside a village of less than 300 residents The site selection is unacceptable for a number of reasons as set out below. How Scotish Power Renewables (SPR) can claim they have had full consultation with residents is a misnomer. Our concerns have been treated with utter disdain. They failed to develop the Bawdsey to Bramford site as originally planned and consented.Had they done so that cable route could have carried all the power for EA1North and EA2 with capacity to spare. SPR have not considered the impact of these and other multiple projects, including that of National Grid and National Grid Ventures who appear to be unaccountable. We have yet to see a plan featuring the scheme and Friston Village together.Due to the flawed site selection process the substations will cause severe damage to the landscape, requiring a 5 mile long cable route the width of an 8 lane motorway from the coast at Thorpeness across open countryside and an AONB to Friston taking in its'wake destruction of trees, hedgerow and valuable farm land. The site is ringed by listed buildings, five Grade 11 and two Grade 11*one of which is he vilage church located immediately opposite the site. Locals and visitors come hee forr peace and quiet reflection and to visit the final resting place of loved ones. The churchyard is home to a Commonwealth War Grave and War Memorial. The Village Hall which is used for meetings/recreation and educational purposes is next door the Church. We have learned in the last few days,although not advised by SPR that revised plans have been submitted to PINS. These indicate further excroachment into the village,namely Church Lane/Church Road which is the only vehicle access to the Church and Village Hall. FLOODING - Friston is subject to flooding. On a number of occasions this year properties have been damaged considerably. The Rectory has been rendered uninhabitable. SPR state clearly there is an increase in flood risk but do not show that proposed mitigation measures are sufficient,feasible or even achievable. TOURISM - The effect on tourism in the area will be permanent. Whilst some recovery may be possible, who wants to visit an Industrial site for holidays and periods of recreation. We have many visitors from far and wide. Walkers, twitches, cyclists and arrtists. During the construction period they will seek alternatives and may never return. Similarly INWARD INVESTMENT will be damaged, indeed house sales are already affected.Local trades people,painters, plumbers, electricians, builders, and cleaners will experience a severe reduction in employment. Cafes, hotels and restaurants will also see a decline in their business. FOOTPATHS - 26 Public Rights of Way will be temporarily closed or diverted for unspecified amounts of time. The footpath running North from he village which is a favourite of dog walkers and ramblers, will be permanently closed. This footpath is the historic boundary between Friston and Knodishall and is thought, in part, to have formed part of a historic pilgrims way. An alternative route is proposed to run along the edge of Grove Road close to the substation site, not an attractive proposal and public safety comes into question. LIGHT POLLUTION -There will be significant light pollution given the dark skies of this deeply rural environment. Constructioin will involve 6 day working 7am -7pm and occasionally 7 day and 24 hour working. Security and car park lighting, which will be triggered by wildlife who inhabit the whole area will have an adverse effect on the properties close to the site. NOISE -A sensitive subject. Coupled with the problem of light noise emanating from the site, the effect on health and wellbeing must not be underestimated. The overriding community requirement is for residential and recreation facilities to be free from perceptible noise. Quiet enjoyment of our properties is essential and a priority. Given the hours of working and the proximity of the substations' site and cable route to the village, noise could be very intrusive. HUMAN HEALTH -SPR dismiss anxiety as a perception. Anxiety is very real to a person suffering from it. There are aleady cases of despair and acute anxiety as to what is going to become of us. We are an ageing population looking to enjoy our lives in peace and quiet which is the main reason most of us chose to live here. The traffic and the noise, air pollution and disruption to our daily lives with a potential construction period of 5/6 years even before the impact of other projects is immeasurable. Looking to sell our houses to fund care in the future is a very real financial headache. TRAFFIC - Road safety is already a major cause for concern. The A12/1094 junction is an accident blackspot but the proposed changes would be laughable if not so serious.Rumble strips and speed restrictions! The A1094 is narrow and twisty resulting in difficulty for two vehicles to pass. A further problem area is the A1094/B1069 junction at Blackheath Corner. We have long expressed our concerns as to the impact of increasing traffic along the A1094 particularly as regards emergency vehcles. There is a cottage hospital in Aldeburgh.Taking into account the average age of residents in this area, ambulances are called out daily from Ipswich some 30 miles away. There is a risk to journey times of these vehicles bearing in mind the increase in heavy vehicles using this road. Scottish Power will only monitor Heavy Goods Vehicles but what about the rest. The area is littered with narrow lanes not least Friston.Mill Road leads off the A1094 and runs through the village, is single track with no pedestrian pavement. This in turn leads to Grove Road which again is narrow. twisty and leads to the proposed site. Is it to become a "rat-run"? At the junction of Grove Road with the B1121 (Aldeburgh to Saxmundham Road) is a small children's play area. SAFETY - No safety plan is provided for the substations. Fire and explosion are not unknown at substations. There is no quantification of the risk. Nor has suficient attention been given to he safety of pedestrians/cyclists when going about their everyday activities.