Representation by Bridget Walker
- Date submitted
- 27 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I live locally and play golf at Thorpeness. This development will have a big impact on my day to day life. Having read the non-technical summary for this application I am very concerned. It seems to me the application has been analysed superficially and in isolation from other projects. There is no evidence of a joined up strategy for bringing power onshore in a co-ordinated fashion and nor is there any evidence that alternative solutions have been considered, whether brownfield sites or offshore hubs and ringmains, which could avoid extensive damage to the local landscape and ecosystem. As a result, there is no analysis to support the glib statement repeated many times that there will be little cumulative effect from seven different projects in the local area. Either Sizewell is excluded from the analysis or it is assumed only contemporaneous projects are cumulative. However, seven projects happening consecutively over 10-12 years over an ever increasing area will undoubtedly have a large cumulative effect. I am also amazed at the assertion that the cliffs at Thorpeness are a suitable location as a landing site for cables when anyone with a basic knowledge of geography (I have a degree and two masters) will know that the cliffs are unstable along a coastline that is being continually eroded. I also wonder if those who analysed this application have ever driven along the local roads which are narrow and winding and difficult enough for small cars let alone heavy construction traffic and I challenge the concept that the region will benefit from job creation when only a few long-term jobs will be created. Renewable energy as an alternative to fossil fuels is a great concept which many of us favour but the full implications need to be understood and it should not be at the expense of a different form of damage to the environment and the local community. I believe this application and all others should be paused and there should be a public enquiry to investigate the least damaging way of bringing power onshore in a co-ordinated fashion. We don’t have nationalised energy companies but private companies need to work together, sharing facilities if necessary and as part of a joined-up strategy to minimise the local impact.