Representation by Samantha Ball
- Date submitted
- 6 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I would like to object on the following grounds 1) Local Impact – - The wind farm would be 2.5 times the height of Rampion 1, and much more expansive, very visible from the entire Sussex coastline, the South Downs National Park - The cable route damage along the South Downs National Park through ancient hedgerows and rare species breeding sites - The windfarm would be a wall of Eiffel Towers (same height complete with flashing navigation lights) in the path of essential bird, bat and insect migration routes - The kelp regeneration is ongoing; the sedimentation from the construction and decommissioning with smother the kelp and the marine life within it will be at great risk - Marine mammals and the benthic environment are at risk from piling impact 2) Due Diligence – are Rampion’s claims about the energy they can produce justified/ accurate, is the damage they will do worth it? Again remember, this is the whole project, onshore and offshore 3) Reasonable alternatives – for the windfarm location (Rampion 1 is only operational 33%of the time and in a migratory highway, and in a sensitive marine environment), the cable route and the substation placement this installation will affect insect, bird and bat migrations – like a bright reflective fence 325m tall across the Sussex Bay. Effect on the South Downs National Park – the cable trench will be over 30km long and will be a 50m wide trench – this will cut through ancient hedgerows and remove trees, and the associated wildlife that will be disturbed Visual impacts from the South Downs National Park – it is Government policy to have a 25km buffer for large infrastructure projects and National Parks – this is not respected with this windfarm Health effects –noise (the operational noise will be infrasonic – a low frequency, high sound pressure level noise that is known to cause depression and stress). Constant red flashing lights on the turbine towers Impact on habitats – the Kelp Forest regeneration project and the species it contains – construction will last approximately 4 years and the pile driving sound pressure will exceed 160dB with each strike , the stress on cats and dogs terrestrially due to the piling noise Effect on tourism and associated businesses – the sound of piling will keep tourist away from the seaside and impact on property value It is vital to ensure we get the best possible outcome from this proposal - Net zero demands should be balanced to ensure the hard impact on our coastal communities, the environment, marine life and migration routes for birds and insects for generations that follow are thoughtfully mitigated.