Representation by John Davies
- Date submitted
- 24 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Scottish Power Renewables I am registering this objection to the Scottish Power Renewables application to construct a large electrical substation on land near Friston and connect this to the National Grid and to transmission cables that are proposed to be brought ashore on the rapidly eroding coastline to the north of the village of Thorpeness. Whilst being supportive of the development of offshore wind turbines to generate electricity as an alternative to the continued use of fossil-fuels I do not believe that sufficient consideration has been given to the adverse impact that this development and any subsequent proposals would have on the communities and sensitive, largely protected natural environment of the Suffolk Coast. I have listed below the principle reasons for my concerns: i) The Suffolk coastline is highly sensitive, largely unspoilt and is renowned for its tranquility, a very rare quality in lowland England. It is defined as a Heritage Coast, forms an integral component of the nationally important Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and incorporates a number of sites of national and international importance for nature conservation. The impact of this development alongside the hugely damaging Sizewell C/D proposals, and the likelihood of further onshore development proposals relating to potentially six other offshore wind farms such as the East Anglia 2 development are likely to result in irreversible losses, the implications of which have been given little or no consideration. ii) It is not clear what the overall impact on both noise and air quality would be resulting from traffic movements and the operation of on-site plant and machinery both during construction and operation. Does an independent assessment exist? If so, what measures would be taken to mitigate any adverse impacts on human health? iii) Nor is it clear what the overall carbon footprint for the development is, including not just construction but ultimately the decommissioning and removal of the substation and transmission infrastructure. This needs to be considered as the aim of these offshore developments is to contribute towards a national carbon-neutral target. iv) Tourism is a vital component of the local economy, the implementation of the proposed development along with the other proposed or anticipated developments mentioned earlier pose a significant threat to the future appeal of this area as a tourism destination. Has an independent assessment been made of the cumulative detrimental impact of the developments on this multi-million pound tourism industry? 24th January 2020