Representation by Nicole Edwards
- Date submitted
- 6 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am unable to support the proposed extension to the Rampion Wind Farm, and primarily the chosen site of the new substation. Cowfold was not adequately consulted by Rampion regarding the proposed site of a new substation to be built approximately half a mile outside of the village centre. The only information leaflet I received related to the cable route from the coast to the existing Rampion substation which showed the cables bypassing Cowfold village entirely and no mention of a new substation. I subsequently discovered that Rampion had already decided on their choice of new substation site many months prior to sending out the leaflets and additionally that the leaflets contained out of date information regarding the cable route. The proposed build site is adjacent to the busy A272 in a national speed limit stretch of road and where numerous accidents have occurred. At peak times lengthy queues form on this stretch of road as vehicles attempt to travel through the village. Cowfold is already an Air Quality Management Area because of queuing traffic and the additional works traffic that a project of this size would create will be extremely detrimental to air quality. In addition the significantly increased traffic flow would detrimentally affect the ability of the emergency services to get either to or through the village. Just getting into the village by vehicle can already take 30 mins during peak times and yet when questioned, Rampion representatives could not adequately explain how the significantly increased traffic flow would be managed safely. In order to reach the chosen site it is proposed to use single track ancient lanes which are inherently unsuitable for sizeable vehicles. The land around the village is currently rural and an oasis for wildlife and specifically nightingales, hazel dormice and water voles. This habitat will disappear if the substation is built, depriving wildlife of both its habitat and safe corridors. The substation will be visible from many of the footpaths around the village, especially those around the Oakendene lake and woodland and the rural feel of the village would be lost for all future generations.