Representation by Jonathan Burch
- Date submitted
- 27 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I endorse relevant representation by SASES, Friston Parish Council and Suffolk Authorities with specific reference to the objections to onshore proposals at Grove Wood, Friston, proposed location of substations. Living in the Northern tip of Friston, my home will be within 500 metres of the proposed substations and I will see them from my garden. Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) proposals fail to comply with their “target buffer” of 250 metres. The nearest homes are just 200 metres away. These developments are closer than the adopted industry model of at least 500 to 600 metres from residential properties. Location maps in DCO documents fail to highlight the proximity of the village to the substations, most maps ending at the north end of the village prejudicing anyone who does not know the area well. There are photo-mock ups taken in front of a tree in the church yard and in a dip behind the church, giving false representation of the impact of mitigation. The viewpoints and visualisations are highly selective and fail to include key views. It is questionable whether this development is needed given that both EA1N and EA2 should have originally connected via the Bawdsey to Bramford cable and grid connection. The design principles of substations do not focus on a ‘best engineered’ or a ‘low impact’ design compared to other substations nationally to reduce overall size and visual impact. The proposed planting mitigation is unacceptable in the long-term given that substations will not be embedded in the landscape & will remain highly visible even after 25 years of plant growth. The substation developments could significantly increase the flood risk to homes in Friston. The substations are directly over field drainage and surface water flood paths identified by the Environment Agency flood mapping. Surface water runoff has not been identified as a major risk to the village and an independent flood risk study should be provided with particular reference to the interactions with the Friston water course and storm drainage. The proposed SUD ponds should be releasing water at a rate below natural base flow. There is insufficient mitigation by SPR to prevent further water runoff during the construction period where the cable route comes via the east of the village. There are also no demonstrable measures to prevent sediment mobilisation which will affect the effectiveness of flood prevention in the village during the construction period. At present there is very little noise or light pollution in the village of Friston. Construction noise and lighting will adversely affect the residents of the village and the working output of the substations are questionable. The area surrounding the proposed substations is a tranquil rural environment and the proposed 34db LAeq 5min limit is unacceptable. The cumulative noise output of three working substations has not be assessed adequately. The flood and motion sensor lighting will be an intrusion to wildlife and residents living close to the onshore construction sites. The plans do not show sufficient acknowledgement or commitment to protect designated AONB landscape. With two cables (and with additional European interconnectors using the National Grid substation) running through the protected landscape, the cable route will sever the substantial area of tranquil, open and deeply rural countryside. The substations will permanently stop PRoWs and impact on the wellbeing of people using this well used amenity land. There is no assessment of the impact of people going elsewhere to access amenity land, e.g. driving to other areas for walks, particularly environmentally sensitive areas such as Snape Warren or areas of the Heritage Coast. The substations will harm the setting of the village of Friston, particularly on five Grade II and Two Grad II* listed properties located around the development. The substation site at Friston have badger setts, bats and barn owls living on or close by, all protected species. Skylarks have been heard on the proposed site and surrounding fields but are not in the ecology plans which suggests a deeper assessment of wildlife needs to be completed. There are also the rare lesser horse shoe bats identified on the cable route, with only one other colony in Suffolk. Removing woodland, foraging, and roosting areas will ultimately negatively impact on the all bat species. The cable route will sever the habitats and given that no trees can be planted on the cable route or within 6 metres will isolate these habitats and commuting areas.