Representation by Historic England (Historic England)
- Date submitted
- 18 July 2023
- Submitted by
- Other statutory consultees
Historic England The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (HBMCE) is better known as Historic England, and we are the Government’s adviser on all aspects of the historic environment in England, including historic buildings and areas, archaeology and historic landscapes. We have a duty to promote conservation, public understanding and enjoyment of the historic environment. We are an executive Non-Departmental public body and we answer to Parliament through the Secretary of State for Digital Culture, Media and Sport. We can confirm Historic England’s have been party to extensive pre-application discussions with regards to this proposal. The Proposal The application seeks to create a 440Kv reinforcement of the electricity transmission network between Bramford substation in Suffolk and Twinstead Tee in Essex. This would include 18km of overhead lines, 11km of underground cables, four cable sealing end compounds, A new grid supply point substation at Butler’s Wood, removal of around 2 km of existing 400 kV pylons south of Twinstead Tee and Removal of around 25 km of existing 132 kV pylons between Burstall Bridge and Twinstead Tee. Representation We do not intend to attend the preliminary hearing; we will however be submitting full written representation at the appropriate date. 1. Introduction The applicant has provided a full Environmental Statement, which includes historic environment chapters. Our written representation will comment more fully on the ES, however for the purposes of this representation our key considerations are summarised below. 2. Historic Environment The proposed development lies in a sensitive area for the historic environment, within the setting of a range of high value heritage receptors. Of note this includes; - Grade I listed Hintlesham Hall - Grade II* listed stables, former coach house and brewhouse attached to Hintlesham Hall, Sawyers Farmhouse - Polstead Conservation Area It was agreed during the pre-application process that detailed assessment of the historic environment would be required for the application. The information provided is of a high standard and we broadly accept the conclusions. Further detailed comments will also be provided in our written representation. 3. Impacts on designated and non designated heritage assets Our primary consideration in relation to this scheme is however the impact of the proposal on the designated heritage asset (Grade I listed) Hintlesham Hall. Which lies to the south of the proposed line. The proposal would see the removal of a large section of 132v power line and associated pylons leaving the new 400v line to run parallel with the existing 400v line around Hintlesham Hall. Historic England are keen to ensure the avoidance of significant impacts to this listed building. In 2013 we expressed concerns relating to this proposed route and its impact upon the setting of the grade I listed hall. However, we accepted that undergrounding the cable in this area would cause damage to potentially important nature habitats. We stated that should the pylons be placed adjacent to the existing line then corridor 2b would be the most appropriate route for the new power cable. The current route shown reflects that shown as corridor 2b at pre-application. The applicant has engaged in discussions to limit the visual impacts of the new overhead line in key views from Hintlesham Hall. We have worked hard to limit these views and have concerns that the limits of deviation could result in avoidable harm. Discussions regarding mitigation are still ongoing. The mitigation could include landscape restoration of some lost elements of the designed landscape of Hintlesham Park. Further advice will therefore be offered through our Written Representation in relation to Hintlesham Hall and its setting, as well as commentary on other highly graded heritage assets affected by the scheme. We wish to continue discussions regarding the Cable Sealing Ends (CSE) close to Polstead Conservation Area. We are also aware the development will result in a range of potentially significant impacts on a number of other non-designated heritage assets and archaeological sites which Suffolk County Council have been advising on. In the event of the project being consented, we would also want to ensure that there is no unnecessary or further impact upon the listed building.