Representation by S Elsey
- Date submitted
- 25 September 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
My objections are:- CONSULTATION - I don’t believe Cowfold Residents have been consulted properly on the impact of the Rampion proposal. Laterly we have received some leaflets but we did not receive any of the earlier publications and definitely nothing sent recorded or addressed to us. - Various Rampion representatives answered my questions at the village hall exhibition but as I told them, they are meaningless words, anyone could stand there making promises and tell me I haven’t got anything to worry about. ENVIRONMENT - The environmental impact (noise, light pollution, dust, traffic fumes) and destruction of wildlife habitat, hedgerows and nature is irreversible. I feel very strongly that we are guardians of the countryside and we must protect it. - Once lost these green spaces can’t be replaced and how do you measure the impact of their loss on the physical and mental health of the people that use them. - Cowfold already suffers from extremely poor air quality and the additional traffic during construction is going to make this even worse. The community will be affected by noise, light pollution, dust and traffic fumes. All negatively impacting the elderly and those with breathing difficulties. - The wildlife corridors from the A281 to A272 will be disrupted by the cable route and substation construction. VISIBILITY - I dont think the visibility of this huge project has been fully assessed. This is a beautiful area enjoyed by locals walking, jogging, riding etc. It is going to be very noticeable from The South Downs National Park, locally from A272 at the substation entrance, the huge western compound near the industrial estate on Kent Street and the huge visibility splay onto the A272 with the removal of hedges and trees which will alter the rural feel coming into the village permanently. TRAFFIC - The additional traffic turning into and out of the site is going to add to the congestion, queues and tailbacks on the A272, which is already a problem. I believe traffic delays will impact local businesses (deliveries, staff, getting to and from appointments), potentially increasing the number of accidents (already a problem on the A272) and impede emergency services responding in the local area. - At the Rampion exhibition in the village hall I was told HGVs wouldn’t come through the village but they couldn’t confirm how they were going to monitor and/or police this. I can’t see how they can control the route taken by third party contractors. - Vehicles are being identified as LGVs and HGVs but we need clarification on the size of these vehicles. Even LGVs are large vehicles which still pollute and cause environmental impact. KENT STREET - Kent Street has width restriction signs which suggests it is not suitable for HGVs. I’m assuming except for access relates to the existing properties and this lane has never been intended to be used by large vehicles. - I believe the original 2020 scoping report identifies Kent Street as a single track lane unsuitable for HGVs. How can they report this and then decide it’s the right place for the cable and substation? - Has a Traffic Impact Assessment for Kent Street been done? Do we know the real impact this will have on these small country lanes and those people who live along them? Further investigations, consultation, facts and data is needed before a decision on this project is finally made.