Representation by Shermanbury Parish Council (Shermanbury Parish Council)
- Date submitted
- 28 September 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Consultation relating to proposals relating to Cable Routes and the selection of a site for the Rampion 2 Substation Cable Routes Shermanbury Parish Council (SPC) notes that the final decision regarding cable routes through Shermanbury Parish have yet to be decided and depend upon the choice of substation location. The following are our concerns. ? There will be inevitable disruption to roads, footpaths, and bridleways; this must be minimized if the Parish is to retain its functionality. ? Wineham Lane is an unclassified, narrow country road which is unsuitable for heavy traffic. Rampion 1 construction has already severely damaged the road surface and verges, and the proposed cable route will finally terminate in the Bolney National Grid site. Greater care of Wineham Lane is important to the local population, and repairs should be undertaken as and when necessary and not on a preordained schedule. ? Traffic management systems should not be used at the Bolney National Grid site. The road is straight and a simple give way system is adequate. The Rampion 1 traffic light system became an unacceptable traffic hazard as locals soon learnt that they were largely irrelevant. This breeds contempt for a system which should always be adhered to. ? Kent Street is extremely narrow and unsuitable for any traffic other than cars, farm machinery, and deliveries for the local inhabitants. Rampion 2 vehicles should not use Kent Street at any time, other than to cross it if necessary. If crossing Kent Street is required, priority for the previously described usage should be maintained at all times. Sub-Station Sites 1. Bolney Rd/Kent Street (Preferred Option) ? This site has the advantage of easy access from the A272 and is an extension of a brown field site- the Oakendene Industrial Estate. It is also the site which is least likely to have an unfavourable impact on local residential communities. ? However.... o The long footprint along Kent Street requires any development to be set back a considerable distance from the small country lane and well screened to avoid visual impact. o The impact on the Grade II Listed building (Oakendene Manor) would need substantial mitigation. o No access for Rampion traffic to the proposed sub-station should be permitted via Kent Street. Entrance and exit should be via the A272. 2. Wineham Lane North ? This would be an extension of the existing substation/ brownfield site. It would have less of an impact on Wineham Lane if set back further towards the East and must be well screened to reduce visual impact. ? However, it would still increase the industrialisation of the area immeasurably. o The impact on properties on Wineham and Bob Lane (especially Old Doctors sandwiched in between 2 substations) will result in the loss of quality of life, will damage the environment, and will cause financial damage to property values. As a profit-making organisation Rampion must make reparation for this loss throughout the affected area if natural justice is to prevail. General comments: Shermanbury Parish Council is aware that these proposals will initially have a huge impact on the local environment. Unfortunately, as the consultation does not give us access to any Environmental Reports, we are not able to fully ascertain the extent of any impact on the local wildlife, flora and fauna. Local residents are still recovering from problems relating to local highways caused by the Rampion 1 project, with 24-hour traffic management systems that failed to work and no way of contacting engineers to rectify the situation. Residents reported sitting at red lights for up to 30 minutes until realising these lights were once again faulty. Should the Wineham Lane North site be selected, Council would like to see the traffic management plan adjusted to ensure that any traffic management system is only in situ during expected working hours which should be restricted to between 08:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00 – 13:00 on Saturdays. Outside of these times no works should be allowed to take place. Provision should also be made for a layby located away from the site on the A23/A272 for HGVs to park up prior to gaining access to the site as this may go some way to reducing the number of movements per hour. As the village of Wineham is the largest residential settlement nearest to either of the proposed substation sites likely to be affected by the inevitable aggravation, Shermanbury Parish Council very much hopes that these considerations will be taken into account. Should permissions be granted for any works within our Parish we would welcome the opportunity to work with Rampion to minimise the disruption to our residents.