Representation by Nicholas Russell
- Date submitted
- 11 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Firstly I should say that I support the representations being made by SASES and Friston Parsh Council Please listen to a sincere plea from someone who is sympathetic to the needs of the country to have more power from renewables in the future, so not just a NIMBY. The cumulative effect of all that is being planned is too much for any community to withstand, let alone one of rural beauty and designated an AONB. The only access road used by SPR and National Grid will be from Friday Street A1094 and then left on to the B1069 at Blackheath corner to Leiston. There will be 3000 HGV movements per six day week for a minimum of 3 years This does not include ancillary vehicles or work force traffic which will be in the region of 300 people per day. A significant proportion of this traffic will proceed into Aldeburgh and turn left on the mini roundabout to Leiston. . We are aware of SEVEN energy projects (six substations/ interconnectors at Friston and one giant nuclear twin-reactor at Sizewell C) constructed in a tiny part of East Suffolk over a period of 10-12 years will devastate and cause permanent damage to the countryside. . Cables landing on Thorpeness beach - a fragile, eroding and constantly shifting shoreline, where only two years ago a man walking his dog died from a sudden cliff collapse. · Miles of cable laid in wide trenches, which will be created by excavating pieces of unique heathland and AONB, one of the rarest natural habitats in the UK from Thorpeness through Aldringham & Knodishall to Friston. · Tourism is the main provider of local jobs. The tourism economy is fragile, like the environment it is not guaranteed. Traffic congestion may become so bad as to make other destinations more attractive. Why would visitors decide to come here if the roads are clogged with construction vehicles? Not just 'A' roads but rural lanes will be used as rat runs by contract workers. I am an engineer in the energy sector and have been astonished by the patronising attitude of the consultation process. Senior management from SPR and their clean energy consultancies have been “ticking all the boxes”, by carrying out the consultation meetings as required by Planning. Yet, these consultations are a sham, produce little or no significant change. They are designed to wear down the inhabitants till they don’t protest any more, but at the same time make each and every one of us feel that it’s a “done deal” – nothing will change. I have even made suggestions to lessen the impact of the substation at Friston, but have been told that they won’t put it forward even as a suggestion. Time and time again we point out the same fundamental problems as above but feel we are just “patted on the head” and told we don’t really understand….. well we do and it is completely shameful what is being suggested. This should not be allowed to be bulldozed through and there should be a Public Enquiry to ensure that the if this goes ahead, that it is done properly with the minimal amount of damage and the the substation should be sunk below ground level and screened. I understand there are even more windfarms to come. Where will their cables land and how will the substations not impact the environment? Regards Nicholas Russell