Representation by Mrs Jill Temperton
- Date submitted
- 27 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I was born in Suffolk and live close to the eastern coast. I wish to strongly object to this SPR East Anglia North One planning application for the following reasons: Unsuitable Location: The proposed substation is within unspoilt countryside, too close to the village of Friston and too far from the landing cables. The proposed site in Friston is subject to flooding. Offshore hubs and offshore wind power ringmains should be favoured, or any suitable brownfield sites close to Sizewell power station. Environment: Damaging use of rural countryside for a highly industrial substation complex with its associated construction work, 11 km cable trenches and haul roads. Damage to the vulnerable coastal cliffs which protect the hinterland by siting the landing cable at Thorpeness. A cabling corridor of 7 miles through the nationally protected AONB would be required from Thorpeness. Threats to wildlife within Sandlings Heath and severing the wildlife corridor along the nationally important Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB. Destruction of nationally protected ancient woodland. Permanent damage to essential local wildlife corridors along hedgerows and through woods & copses. Public Amenity: Residential homes would be severely affected by cable trench construction and haul roads. The local road network is already congested , especially during the tourist season. It would be unable to cope and become increasingly dangerous with the introduction of more HGVs and associated traffic. Closure of roads for such a long cable trenching route would lead to considerable disruption for local residents farmers and businesses. Traffic disruption would lead to access delays for Emergency Services and lives being risked. Fast evacuation would be severely hampered should there be a nuclear emergency at Sizewell power station. Many popular Public Right of Ways would be closed temporarily or permanently. Light, Noise & Air Pollution: The popular dark skies, which this area is so famous for, would be lost in this region due to light pollution. The noise of all the construction work and substation operation would adversely affect the tranquil areas that are so valued. Air pollution would be caused by hazardous particulates from the additional vehicle fumes. Construction work would lead to dust and the local sandy soils are prone to blow away when disturbed. Tourism: The coastal district relies heavily on tourism to boost its economy. A recent Suffolk Coast Destination Organisation (DMO) Report states that traffic congestion, noise and pollution from the construction work would be a serious deterrent for prospective tourists. It estimates that tourism would suffer a £24 million annual loss if the projects went ahead. Loss of the visitors and their income would cause trade downturns, job losses and economic decline in the region. Cumulative Impact: Seven sequential major energy projects are proposed for coastal Suffolk, including the present Scottish Power Renewables projects, 2 nuclear power plants at Sizewell C, 2 inter-continental connector converter stations for National Grid Ventures (Eurolink & Nautilus), as well as a major National Grid Transmission substation connected these to the Sizewell pylons. Eurolink & Nautilus would be used to import/export power between the UK & Europe and require 12 acres of land close to the sea shore within the protected AONB. They would have a height of 26 metres and require cabling routes and haul roads. These energy projects in the pipeline would lead to this small East Suffolk coastal region providing 25-30% of the national electricity supply. This rapid expansion and its direct impacts on the region would be immense. There are also plans to expand the existing Galloper & Gabbard windfarms, as well as Crown Estates Round 4. Urgent Need for Government Intervention: The Government has failed to prepare for this massive energy growth in eastern Suffolk. There is no overarching Government strategy and the current approach to considering energy project proposals is too fragmented. The currently proposed power transmission methods are far too disruptive. The use of offshore hubs and offshore ringmains should be used; this would result in fewer substations. Government intervention is required to review its national energy strategy before any further planning decisions are made by the Planning Inspectorate. The views of those directly affected, as well as their representatives, must be given due weight in the final planning application decisions. There is, therefore, a need for the immediate suspension of any Planning Inspectorate decisions concern the current Scottish Power Renewables application for EA1N & EA2 offshore windfarms.