Representation by Pebmarsh Parish Council (Pebmarsh Parish Council)
- Date submitted
- 18 July 2023
- Submitted by
- Parish councils
Dear Inspector, National Grid are proposing to acquire a permanent right of access across two farms in our village. Pebmarsh Parish Council did not receive sufficient detail and information prior to the deadline of the 2022 consultation and we have not received feedback nor have our comments been addressed. There has been a lack of any meaningful engagement or discussion throughout the process by National Grids (NG) Project Team. The Parish Council understand the need to upgrade the existing network but we have had no explanation why some of the existing road network cannot be used and have not received the requested road surveys which were promised in October 2022. There seems to be no report detailing objections to the use of the road among the documents on the Planning Inspectorate website. If Essex County Council Highways have not commented on alternative options we believe they have not been asked to do so as NGs current route has been determined by their own Highways Consultants. This highlights that NG have never considered a “hybrid” option of using part of the existing road network with a haul road only where necessary. The decision to build a haul road seems to be partly due to complaints of traffic passing close to a few properties at Cripple Corner, Pebmarsh. This could be alleviated by a short haul road from the top of Lorkins Lane. Collins Farm and the following three properties on the road frontage in Pebmarsh are all opposed to the haul road and like us have concerns of misuse and security. In G12 of the consultation report NG are saying that Henny Road, Lamarsh is one of the construction routes but it is already used by HGVs and farm machinery, we question why our wider roads with the same use are not appropriate? The proposed haul road from the A131 is approximately 1.5 miles in length with a width of up to 30 meters wide.. This construction will add a huge amount of workers vehicles and heavy plant machinery compounding the argument on carbon emissions and resources. If NG require the route again in the future the whole process will have to be completed again. No surveys have been undertaken on the land to identify habitats, archaeology, environmental issues, field drainage or how farming operations will be affected. NG have demonstrated a lack of commitment to working with landowners to reduce impacts on their land and to limit the loss of food production. The uncertainty in the time the initial haul road will be in place and then if, and when it may be reinstated leaves them in a difficult position. We ask if it is necessary and reasonable of NG to acquire a permanent right of access? At this date we have not had confirmation of the route, whether it will just be temporary or if NG are proposing the right to use the route again in the future as this requirement was changed part way through the process. If the plan of the land they are seeking to acquire rights over differs from that submitted to the inspectorate, there appears to be no clarity of how any agreed changes to the plans can be substituted to meet the requirements of the DCO. Proposed working hours for this project are for 365 days a year for a period of 4 years. (0700-1900 Monday to Friday, 0800-1700 Saturday, Sunday and BH Mondays) We ask you to consider if this is reasonable for our local community. Pebmarsh Parish Council strongly believe that a hybrid option should be carefully considered and ask that the Planning Inspector examine the rationale for the route over other options available to NG. If junction widening and passing places are required these could be incorporated with less damage to arable land and loss of hedgerows. Appendix Copy of response to consultation notice dated 19.10.2022 Bamford to Twinstead Reinforcement: Pebmarsh Parish Council Response The Parish Council would like to thank you for attending the meeting on the 13th of October. Present were 3 members of the council, joined by the affected landowners and their families. The council feel the whole proposal is completely unacceptable, and that other more suitable options have not been looked at in enough detail. Consultation Process The landowners affected were not informed of the proposals, until the flyer was posted through their door at the same time as other residents. They did not have enough time to seek professional advice, on how to deal with this situation. This process was completely unexpectable. They should have been notified in an official way, before the consultation had started. This has severely affected them, and their families. We have written to our MP James Cleverly about this matter, and will forward the response onto you once we have received it. The previous consultation was widely known about in the local community. We feel this latest consultation has not been published enough to inform every one of the proposed changes. Some of the residents we have spoken to were against having the excess traffic on the road network in the original consultation, are also against the haul road proposal. We apricate that there is an exemptional need for you to access this site, and that compromise needs to be found. Proposed Haul Road Issues Destroying farm land: The proposed road would completely destroy two prime arable farms. The road would pass through the middle of the fields, making the rest of the field unusable. The compaction caused by the heavy cable loads, would cause damage to the soil structure which would be irreversible. The road would destroy existing drainage systems within in the field. This would make the rest of the field unusable. National Grid have not even walked the land to assess if it is even suitable. Site visits should have taken place prior to this going out for consultation. The proposed road would lead to thousands of tons of grain not be produced, in a time of a shortage of grain in our country. The construction process of the road will cause a considerable amount of traffic. Thousands of tons of aggregates would have to be hauled in, then back out again. Land conditions: The land on the proposed road sits extremely wet in the winter months. The land is bottomless when wet, and would be unable to take such extreme loads. Some winters, even tractors with floatation tyres will get severely stuck. Damage to wildlife: Both farms have a unique array of wildlife. The haul road would destroy this habitat. There are many trees and hedgerows that would have to be completely removed. These are well established, and would take in excess of 50 years to get back to their current state. Some of this land is currently in environmental schemes. The land would not comply to enter these schemes with the haul road, as it would not fit into the criteria. These schemes have a huge range of environmental benefits, ranging from feeding wild birds, to creating habitats for them to live in. No Ecology reports have been undertaken by National Grid to see what wildlife would be affected by the road. Alternative Solutions We feel that not enough options have been explored as alternatives for the haul road. National Grid need to come up with a number of options. They need to liaise with local councils and landowners before any consultation takes place. Full land and environmental surveys need to be completed to establish which of these routes have the least detrimental effects. At the time of our meeting last week, surveys of the road network were still taking place. This information needs to be completed before any form of consultation can take place. National Grid need to withdraw from this process, and re-start in the correct way. We hope you take our comments on board. We feel that not enough options have been looked at, to find the least intrusive way to access the site. The effects of the proposed haul road will leave long lasting damage to wildlife, and two prime village farms. We would be happy to work with you, to find a suitable solution for you to access the site.