Representation by Snape Parish Council (Snape Parish Council)
- Date submitted
- 21 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Parish councils
Registration as an Interested Party DCO Application Scottish Power Renewables project Friston, Suffolk Snape Parish Council (SPC) SPC wishes to register as an interested party in the Development Consent Order (DCO) Process. Based on the local consultation process thus far and the Stage 4 consultation document and recent DCO submission, the PC must reflect overwhelming opposition of residents to the current proposals. That includes both the construction of the substations as outlined and the traffic management plans. The PC does not feel that consultation has been either adequate or fair given the potential impacts and the quality of the information, research and calculation contained within the consultation document nor the DCO submission. The location of the site, potential impact on the environment and road network, levels of noise and air pollution, lack of consideration of the direct impact of the project on Snape generally, and specifically around traffic, undermine the proposals as outlined in the project documentation and application for DCO. The opposition to the proposals to build the substation are also based on the impact the construction will have visually and environmentally, adjacent to an AONB and to what are small rural roads and conurbations. The PC has noted and agrees with the concerns of both Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council to the DCO proposals in terms of the impact in an AONB and the lack of detail contained in the consultation documentation and DCO application. This lack of detail has been a consistent theme and remains a concern shared by Snape PC given the length of time that has been available to SPR to construct and research the proposed development. It is an issue that must be outlined in much greater detail in terms of the transport proposals and environmental impact before the DCO can be approved. The PC noted with concern that there continues to be complete lack of detailed granular analysis of the potential impact of traffic over peak periods such as holidays or the frequent and long established cultural events at both Snape and Aldeburgh. All the analysis and calculations were based on average traffic movements which given the nature of traffic in the area ignores the GEART guidance that is referred to in the documentation. The PC was concerned that despite specifically previously asking for consideration of the potential cumulative impact of the SPR proposals taken together with the developing Sizewell C plans and National Grid plans for infrastructure developments, that the sections on cumulative impact within the documentation held no real detail on the potential impact of concurrent development. It has been striking that there is frequent reference to ongoing work and the need to continue it over an extended period, but the issue remains of the potential damaging cumulative impact that could destroy, or at the very least significantly denude, the vital tourist and farming industries that the area depends on currently for employment.