Representation by Tacolneston Parish Council (Tacolneston Parish Council)
- Date submitted
- 13 November 2022
- Submitted by
- Parish councils
I am writing on behalf of Tacolneston Parish Council to register our objections to this proposal. The construction of the pylon network could lead to significant disruption to our rural village road network. The location of the village school and park on the main trunk road mean that any increased traffic flow, particularly by heavy vehicles could impact ,on road safety. The pylons will also lead to a significant long term detrimental impact upon the landscape and rural character of Tacolneston Parish and so damage the local rural economy. Tacolneston is a beautiful Norfolk village set in an open, gently rolling, attractive rural landscape. The village has a Conservation Area (https://www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/conservation-areas-2/conservation-6) characterised by an unusually large cluster of distinctive thatched houses, manors and stunning woodland. Our Conservation Area consists of buildings, habitat and uniquely, open landscape perspectives offering views over the Tas valley, visible from the main trunk road, byroads and footpaths. These will be negatively impacted by the proposed pylons. There are 29 listed buildings in the northern part of the village and 35 in the Parish in all. The beautiful landscape underpins a visitor economy that importantly to the livelihoods of many villagers and to the local economies of surrounding parishes. The Tas Valley Way is a long-distance footpath that passes close to the Parish to the east, along the River Tas. The pylons will also be visible along parts of this footpath route and further undermine the landscape attractiveness, amenity value and visitor economy. The independent Open Walks website [Redacted] explains: 'This walk runs from Cringleford, near Norwich, to Attleborough, visiting a series of pretty villages with historic churches along the way. These include Intwood, Swardeston, Mulbarton, Hapton, New Buckenham and Old Buckenham ... Each church reveals something of the individual local character - of the countryside, the people, and the history of the settlements ... The walk also passes through some delightful Norfolk countryside which includes a long waterside section along the River Tas.' The thirteenth century church in Tacolneston is a Grade I listed building. We are also concerned over the following. Firstly, we consider that there has been a lack of proper consideration by the Applicant of an alternative, more appropriate, grid connection point. Secondly, we believe that the Examining Authority should require the attendance of the National Grid at the hearings to allow for public scrutiny. Thirdly, we ask that recognition, in relation to the work of the Offshore Transmission Network Review, that SEP/DEP is not yet an ‘inflight project’ without further review. Fourthly, we request consideration of the onshore in-combination, cumulative impacts of SEP/DEP’s landfall, substation and cable corridor construction, alongside the already consented Hornsea Three, Vanguard and Boreas projects. Fifthly, we ask that the SEP/DEP application should include the cumulative impact of the proposed East Anglia Green Project. Finally, we would like the cumulative impact of the possible future construction of large battery storage facilities to improve the economic viability of the project, as has happened with the Hornsea Three project.