Representation by Kate Hodgkiss
- Date submitted
- 21 June 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I object to the Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm Project. It will have a negative impact on me, my family, my home, the village of Little Bromley where I live and on people and the environment along the entire proposed route from the point of landfall until the point of substation connection. The land-take requirements for substation construction, cable trenching, associated infrastructure (including storage and equipment compounds, road widening schemes and haul roads), not just in relation to the Five Estuaries project but also similar from North Falls, National Grid and others, is enormous and unnecessary when off-shore infrastructure is not only possible but a cheaper, better and future-proof alternative. This is not a “NIMBY” response…rather an objection to a project that is a rushed attempt to meet a net-zero target. What such a project would certainly achieve is destruction of our precious and finite countryside forever and on an unimaginable scale – it is neither “green” or environmentally conscious. The following is a no-where near exhaustive list of the negative impact of the Five Estuaries project: - Destruction of habitats: Removal of established trees (some subject to TPO) and hedgerows (more than 30 years old) – even with “replacement”, it is very unlikely that the gap caused by the original loss will ever be filled…even in tens of years’ time. Who is going to ensure those replacement trees/hedge plants are protected for the next 10, 20, 50, 100+ years to ensure that they ever reach the same proportions and provide the same rich habitats as those that have been felled? - Potential impact on water tables and well water in Little Bromley and many other locations along the route (our property like many others relies entirely on well water). - Adverse impact on the area’s rich wildlife including barn owls, buzzards, little owls, bats, insects, unusual moth species and many birds. - Dust from earthworks particularly in the dry summer months which could impact the enjoyment of those living nearby or visiting the area (gardens, walkers, runners, cyclists). Dust would also result in the reduction in solar collection via our PV array (solar panels). - Reduction of in the availability of rich arable land for growing crops and feeding the nation. - Huge concern over increased heavy, noisy and polluting works traffic (including more than 400 HGV movements daily along Bentley Road on which our property is situated). Bentley Road is used by pedestrians, cyclists, dogwalkers and horseriders. Little Bromley has few pavements or footpaths so increased heavy traffic could have a big impact on safety. - Disturbance of existing structures and foundations - our house, as well as other older-constructed houses in the locality with limited foundations may be susceptible to damage from heavy plant and machinery movements including along Bentley Road and Shop Road. - Negative impact on local business…not only will it be more difficult as a result of works traffic and traffic management to get to/from Little Bromley but if there is noise, dust and general disruption, people are likely to choose to frequent equivalent businesses in other locations (the village pub for example will be impacted and as Little Bromley only has the one pub and no village hall or other meeting place, any loss or reduction of this amenity would be a huge blow to the village). - Loss of tourism. - Permanent change to the character of the village and surrounding roads – Little Bromley is a small village and the roads leading into/out of it are in keeping with that and the countryside in which it sits. The current nature of the road naturally helps with traffic calming and speeds thereby making it safer and quieter – any widening or straightening of Bentley Road could have the opposite effect. An offshore integrated grid is what is needed, not a piecemeal approach by a number of entities including Five Estuaries in respect of an onshore project which is a poor attempt to rush through a solution which is environmentally destructive and is neither fit for today let alone tomorrow.