Representation by Rosamond Castle
- Date submitted
- 9 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I fully support the representations made by SASES and Friston Parish Council. While totally in favour of renewable energy I do not believe that Friston is the right place for the SPR substations for the following reasons. It is a destruction of heritage and landscape in an attractive village where people come to find peace and rural tranquillity. The site is ringed by listed buildings. Footpaths will be lost as well as 83 acres of agricultural land, while 9km of countryside will be dug up for the laying of cables. This will permanently affect wildlife. There will be light pollution and constant noise that will damage the villagers’ quality of life, as well as the loss of equity that will result. SPR’s visualisations are misleading and mitigation plans are highly questionable - most of us will no longer be around by the time the trees have reached a useful height. SPR have not properly addressed the problem of flooding. Friston is already affected by surface water flooding and having acres of concrete is only going to make it worse. This is an area that relies on tourism but this project can only damage it. The traffic impact will be huge. The village roads are narrow, some are twisty, and none can support the increase in traffic that will result. But any road changes will ruin the character of the village. The site selection seems to have been determined by National Grid. Yet National Grid has never engaged in any dialogue with those affected by it.