Representation by Robert Shelley (Robert Shelley)
- Date submitted
- 18 July 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
REPRESENTATION IN RESPECT OF THE BRAMFORD TO TWINSTEAD PROJECT SUBMITTED BY LAND PARTNERS LLP AS AGENTS FOR AND ON BEHALF OF MR ROBERT SHELLEY OF WOOD FARM, GIPPING, STOWMARKET, SUFFOLK, IP14 4RN Mr Robert Shelley (and his wife, Mrs E Shelley) are the owners of Corn Hall, Bures from which site he operates a commercial shoot which includes land impacted by the proposed scheme. Mr Shelley holds a lease of shooting rights over land at Cawston Hall, owned by RABI [PIL 353] and farmed under an Agricultural Holdings Act tenancy by Peter Schwind [PIL 616]. Mr and Mrs Shelley were contacted by National Grid’s agents in September 2021 to make them aware of the scheme and following this initial contact, the Shelleys worked with National Grid’s contractors to allow for an extensive scheme of surveys across the land they lease. Mr & Mrs Shelley submitted a response to the statutory consultation in March 2022. Mr & Mrs Shelley hosted a meeting at Corn Hall with Richard Cookson of Bruton Knowles and Bob Jones of National Grid on the 25th March 2022 to discuss the impact of the proposal on their enterprise. The Shelleys are not shown as ‘persons with an interest in land’ in the documents submitted to the Planning Inspectorate but currently have a lease on land impacted by the Scheme. Mr Shelley remains concerns over the impact of the Scheme on his shooting enterprise and we draw the Inspector’s attention to the following: Storage Compounds We note that the locations of the proposed compounds have moved slightly from the initial designs. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the location and use of the proposed storage compounds. On the plans we have seen that there remain two large compounds sited on land which is an integral part of the shoot business. We require further detail on the activities within these locations to determine the extent of the impact which we anticipate to be critical to the exercise of the shoot enterprise. Timing We are seeking clarification on the proposed timing of the works and ask that steps are taken to mitigate the impact on the active shooting season. Biodiversity Net Gain area We note the inclusion of an area of biodiversity net gain surrounding and to the south-west of the Stour Valley East cable sealing end and recognise that the area has been reduced from the original plans. We request more detail on what is proposed for this area and how it is proposed the area is managed in the future. The area is currently uncultivated and minimally managed and we believe that it already supports a wide range of species. In its existing state it provides cover and forage for both the game birds used in the shoot enterprise as well as numerous wild birds. We believe there are better locations to site areas for biodiversity net gain given the existing status of this parcel. We highlight that management restrictions that may be imposed have the potential to impose a significant financial penalty on the commercial activity of the shoot. Request to attend hearings and representations The landowner and / or agent requests to make oral representations at the Public Inquiry or any other Hearings that may be held.