Representation by Christine Ive
- Date submitted
- 17 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Relevant Representations to the National Planning Inspectorate HERITAGE COST V ENERGY COAST I support the Relevant Representations of Friston Parih Council withe the SASES Action Group. My objections are to the ONSHORE element of these proposals which will totally destroy large areas of Rural Suffolk Countryside irrevocably. Friston is at the heart of this countryside, a village of less than 300 residents. The site selection is unacceptable for a number of reasons as set out below. How Scottish Power(SPR) can claim to have had full consultation with the residents is a misnomer. Our concerns have been treated with disdain. They failed to develop the Bawdsey to Bramford site as originally planned and consented. Had they done so that cable route could have carried all the power for EA1North and EA2 with capacity to spare. SPR have not considered the impact of these multiple projects including that of National Grid and National Grid Ventures, who appear to be unaccountable.We have yet to see a plan featuring the scheme and Friston village together. Due to the flawed site selection process the substations will cause severe damage to the landscape, requiring a 5 mile long cable route the width of an 8 lane motorway from the coast at Thorpeness across open countryside and an AONB to Friston taking in it's wake destruction of trees, hedgerows and valuable farm land. The site is ringed by listed buildings, five Grade 11 and two Grade 11* one of which is the village church located immediately opposite the site. Locals and visitors come here for peace and quiet reflection and to visit the final resting place of loved ones. The churchyard is home to a Commonwealth War Grave and War Memorial. The Village Hall which is used for meetings/recreation and educational purposes is next door to the Church. We have learned in the last few days,although not advised officially by SPR, that further revised plans have been submitted to PINS. These indicate further encroachment into the village namely Church Lane/Church Road which is the only vehicle access to the Church and Village Hall. FLOODING - Friston is subject to flooding. On a number of occasions this year properties have been damaged considerably. The Rectory was rendered uninhabitable. SPR state clearly there is an increase in flood risk but do not show that proposed mitigation measures are sufficient, feasible or even achievable. TOURISM - The effect on tourism in the area will be permanent. Whilst some recovery may be possible, who wants to visit an Indusrial site for holidays and periods of recreation. We have many visitors from far and wide. Walkers,twitchers,cyclists and artists. During the constructon period they will seek alternatives and may never return.Similarly INWARD INVESTMENT will be damaged, indeed house sales are already affected. Local trades people, painters, plumbers,electricians,builders and cleaners will all experience a severe reduction in employment opportunities. Cafes,Hotels and Restaurants will also see a decline in their business. FOOTPATHS - 26 Public Rights of Way will be temporarily closed or diverted for unspecified amounts of time. The footpath running North from the village, a favourite of dog walkers and ramblers,will be pemanently closed. This footpath is the historic boundary between Friston and Knodishall and is thought to have been part of a historic pilgrims way. An alternative route is proposed to run along the edge of Grove Road close to the substation site, not an attractrive proposal and public safety comes into question. LIGHT POLLUTION - There will be significant light pollution given the dark skies of this deeply rural environment. Construction will involve 6 day working 7am-7pm and occasionally 7 day and 24 hour working. Security and Car Park lighting will be triggered by wildlife who inhabit the whole area and will have an adverse effect on properties close to he site. NOISE -A very sensitive subject. Coupled with the problem of light, noise emanating from the site, the effect on healh and wellbeing must not be underestimated. The overriding requirement is for residential and recreation facilities to be free from perceptible noise. Quiet enjoyment of our properties at all times is essential and a priority. Given the hours of working and the proximity of the substations' site and cable route to the village noise could be intrusive. HUMAN HEALTH - SPR dismiss anxiety as a perception. Anxiety is very real to a person suffering from it. There are already cases of despair and acute anxiety as to what is to become of us. We are an ageing population looking to enjoy our lives in peace and quiet which is the main reason most of us chose to live here. The traffic and the noise, air pollution and disruption to our daily lives is immeasurable. Looking to sell our houses to fund care in the future is a very real financial headache. TRAFFIC - Road safety is already a major concern.The A12/1094 junction is an accident blackspot but the proposed changes would be laughable if not so serious. Rumble strips and speed restrictions. The A1094 is narrow and twisty resulting in difficulty whentwo vehicles pass. A further prpoblem area is the A1094/B1069 junction at Blackheath Corner. We have long expressed our concerns of the impact of increasing traffic along he A1094 particulty as regards emergency vehicles. There is a cottage hospital in Aldeburgh. Taking ino account the average age of residents in this area, ambulances are called out daily from Ipswich some 30 miles away. There is a risk to journey times with the increase in heavy vehicles/traffic using this road. Scottish Power will only monitor Heavy Goods Vehicles, but what about the rest? The area is littered with narrow lanes, not least Friston. Mill Road leads off the A1094 and runs through the village, it is single track with no pedestrian pavement. This in turn leads to Grove Road which again is narrrow, twisty with no pedestrian pavement and leads to the proposed site.Is this to become a "rat run"? At the junction of Grove Road and B1121 (Aldeburgh to Saxmundham Road) there is a small children's play area. SAFETY - No safety plan is provided for the substations. Fire and explosion are not unknown at substations. There is no quantification of the risk. Nor has sufficient attention been given to the safety of pedestrians/cyclists when going about there everyday activities