Representation by Charlotte Mansell
- Date submitted
- 6 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am writing to express my strong objection to the proposed Rampian DCO EN00117 project plans, which I believe will have a negative impact on the local environment, wildlife, and residents. I have the following concerns: Insufficient effort was made to elicit feedback from local residents. Many residents were unaware of the project or its implications until it was too late to respond. This is unacceptable and undermines the credibility of the consultation process. The cable route cuts through local sites that are annually inhabited by nightingales. These birds are a protected species and their habitats should be preserved and respected. The cable route will cause irreversible damage to the natural landscape and disrupt the breeding and nesting of the nightingales. The use of Kent Street for site traffic is not practical. It is a single track road with limited passing points and very soft verges. It is just not capable of handling any increase in traffic load safely. The increased traffic will pose a serious risk to the road users, pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders who regularly use this road. The plans suggest cutting off access for unspecified periods to my home with no alternative routes for access. Moatfield Lane/Kings Lane has only one way in or out. With elderly relatives who may require assistance, and the need to take children to and from school each day this would be almost impossible to manage. The original plans included an option to extend the existing substation on Wineham Lane. This site already has adequate access including a dual-track road and according to the plans sufficient brownfield space to accommodate the additional equipment. It is hard to understand why extending this site does not make more sense on environmental and disruption grounds. This option should be reconsidered and any final decision explained in detail to the local residents. I urge you to reconsider the Rampian DCO EN00117 project plans and address the concerns raised by me and other residents.