Representation by Mary Pledger
- Date submitted
- 23 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Dear Sirs, I am totally In favour of the production of renewable energy but not where it will cause upset and misery to many people. We fell in love with this area having spent a number of years holidaying in Thorpeness with our family. We moved to Friston 14 years ago in order to enjoy the peace, tranquillity and unspoilt countryside. However, this is threatened by the proposed substations planned on our doorstep. We have always walked our dogs adjacent to the proposed substation site and this pleasure is threatened by the plans, as is the environment around the planned cable route where the habitat will be devastated. I have monitored an area around pylon number 4ZW21 for a number of years and observed Centaurea erythraea growing here (both the pink a white form – the white form being very unusual I have never seen this anywhere else). Last year, for the first time, I discovered bee orchids growing in the same area. A local resident, who has lived here all her life, remembers seeing them nearly 80 years ago in the same place but none since then until last year. There may of course be others growing along the length of the proposed cable route. These orchids, and all the other plants in the area, would be wiped out if the proposed plans go ahead. Apart from the destruction of the environment along the whole cable corridor, I have a number of objections to the proposed siting of the substations – not in any particular order: - - The fragility of the coast around Thorpeness - Light pollution. Loss of dark skies affects humans and wildlife - Traffic disruption caused by large numbers of lorries and machinery in an area not suitable for this type or amount of heavy traffic. Also disrupting residents’ everyday lives. - The impact on tourism - The impact of flooding in Friston from soil compaction caused by lorries and machinery and inadequate provision of drainage from the proposed site. - Proximity to St Marys church (where all three of our daughters were married), and other Grade 2 Listed buildings in the vicinity.