Representation by Graeme Murray
- Date submitted
- 24 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I object to SPR’s proposals as expressed in their DCO application for the following reasons: As a resident of the village of Snape I can confirm that there has been no consultation by the applicant with the village ( except for an information evening arranged by the Parish Council ). Snape is the gateway to the intended location for all these on shore infrastructure plants and as such should have been at the forefront of any consultation process. This was not the case and SPR have not ever tried to rectify this. A lot has been said about the cumulative impact of this and other known projects which are earmarked for the same location, and I understand that under NSIP planning rules a lot of associated information can not be taken into account, however at some stage a degree of common sense surely has to prevail. The size of this project alone is way more than the area can absorb on so many fronts it is amazing that the process is still being undertaken. Economically the region will suffer - the DMO ‘s report shows that the region will likely experience a 17-20 pct drop in tourism which will have a devastating effect on the regions economy and employment statistics. This area is internationally known for its rare habitats and species of wild life and has large areas of AONB/SSSI designated to protect the same. However this project will devastate and threaten these same priceless pockets of nature which we spend so much time trying to save. The traffic figures as put forward by SPR are not sustainable in a small rural area with roads only designed to take local and agricultural traffic . In peak season with tourist load added the road systems are already unable to cope so this project will break the traffic flow to an unacceptable level and affect peoples ability to subsist. Pollution is a major issue as SPR are not taking into account the thousands of people who will be affected by light/noise/fumes from the works. This will fundamentally change the area and put major stress on the inhabitants. It is clear , insomuch that the National Grid are not being asked to put their name to any planning application under any guise , that they are nonetheless planning to turn Friston into a major energy onshore distribution hub. This is surely against the intent of the NSIP ethos. It has been evident for nearly 10 years that there has been no planning for onshore infrastructure to deal with the offshore generation of power. With some degree of foresight all this could have been properly planned to the benefit of all. Destroying East Suffolk due to lack of said planning should not be an option and thus be stopped.