Representation by Tony Morley
- Date submitted
- 3 December 2019
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
SPR received permission go use the new Bawdsey to Bramford cable route and SPR should be instructed to use that facility instead of destroying a large area of Suffolk. The Consultation process has been seriously flawed with no representation from National Grid - or information on their plans - and a complete lack of information on noise, pollution, building works etc. The consultations did not include any mention of the proposed sub stations for National Grid Ventures or the additional cable excavations required. It now appears that our village of Friston could be completely encircled by the construction of cable routes for up to 7 years! There is no justification for choosing a site right next to a village. The proposed buildings would completely dominate and overlook our small village - a development as large as Wembley stadium right next to a medieval church and a village of 150 houses! The proposed site is on prime agricultural land whereas there are plenty of alternative sites on poor or brown land - such as the Bentwaters airfield which could easily accommodate all the current and future onshore installations. Any substation would produce a very disturbing humming noise affecting all residents as well as considerable light pollution in a quiet and light pollution free village. Friston already suffers from flash flooding. The area, of over 30 acres for just the first phase of the proposed development of buildings and concreted hard standings, would considerably increase the risk of more serious flooding, The proposed holding tanks would not be sufficient to contain all the water after very heavy rainfall. The village suffered flooding with damage to homes in both October and November 2019. The construction and traffic noise and air and dust pollution during the long construction periods for the cable laying and building the substations will damage health. SPR's choice of the Friston site did not even take into account the adverse effects on the local population. The road infrastructure to and from Friston and the surrounding villages is completely inadequate for the large number of HGVs that would be required and this would seriously affect local residents, the farming industry, local industry and business and could decimate the vital holiday trade during the 10 years or more forecast for the construction of the various projects. In response to the protests about the wholesale destruction of East Anglia by proposed onshore substations and other buildings the UK Energy Minister has announced that BEIS will consider the proposal to install an Offshore Ring Main to avoid building onshore installations. THERE SHOULD THEREFOR BE A MORATORIUM ON THE CURRENT FRISTON AND NORFOLK SUBSTATION PROPOSALS UNTIL AN OFFSHORE RING MAIN HAS BEEN PROPERLY CONSIDERED. THE DUTCH HAVE SUCCESSFULLY OPERATED SUCH A RING MAIN SINCE 2013 SO THE TECHNOLOGY AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS TYPE OF FACILITY ARE ALREADY PROVEN