Advice to Alana Smith
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- From
- Alana Smith
- Date advice given
- 13 August 2024
- Enquiry type
Dear Sir/Madam Sea Link Project - Kent Onshore Scheme This letter/email should be accepted as my official objection to National Grid’s Sea Link proposals for the Kent Onshore Scheme at Pegwell Bay and Minster Marshes. As you can see, I am a resident of Minster (in fact am a resident in the area which has received further communication from yourselves as being in an area where my property is likely (highly) to be impacted should this scheme go ahead). In line with the majority of the population, I want the earth to become a cleaner, greener place – but not at the level of destruction the scheme currently out for consultation will achieve. I understand that there are principles which the National Grid has to follow (and indeed note that NG accept the principles/guidance are of relevance); however, NG then has the temerity to assert that the guidelines have not been breached! The siting of the converter stations etc., should not be within designated areas of amenity, scientific or cultural values but this is exactly what is being proposed. The land at Pegwell Bay destroyed by the NEMO project has still to recover some 7 years after it was built. I am greatly concerned about the building of a 28 metre high converter station and sub-station (obviously NG have failed to provide any sketches of this monstrosity despite these being requested). This is an increase of some 2 metres on the original plans sent out for consultation – the reason for this is that the proposed converter station is being built on a marsh and, guess what, marshes are wet – so an additional 2 metre high platform with 20 metre deep pillars to stabilise the building! How can building on marshland even have been conceived as a good plan? I have been trying to find a comparable building height to try and visualise this and it has come to my attention that Dover Castle Keep (which I am familiar with) stands at 25.3 metres. That is obscene and will be visible for miles around (and not in a good way)! Estimates are that this whole scheme will take 4 years to complete – have you even considered for a moment what the impact this will have on the residents (human and wildlife) of the area – the noise, the dust, the traffic? I understand that the hours of work are also to be increased (can’t wait) – not sure if anyone has actually visited Thanet but it is a tourist destination and practically impossible to get around during the weekend anyway with the increased numbers of people visiting the area (that plus the additional traffic from the construction being undertaken in the area). I understand that there is a plan to use the old hoverport hand standing to store materials – this area has, over the course of many years, become a nature reserve with endangered bee and lizard orchids now found there amongst the many plants and insects/reptiles in increasing numbers. The hoverport is also a RAMSAR site and National Nature reserve and is used by over-wintering and migratory birds. The level of disruption that this will cause the residents of Cliffs End (many of whom were completely in the dark about your proposals) cannot be overstated. We have been made aware that Thanet District Council have refused the use of the hoverport; however, who are TDC against the might of the NG? Sad to say, I would not be confident (given the process so far) that NG would even accept this decision – there are a number of missing mentions of RAMSAR and SSSI designated area in the new documentation. Minster Marshes and Pegwell Bay have an abundance of wildlife and any building there would destroy habitats which have existed for hundreds of years. Pegwell Bay is also a RAMSAR site but this seems to have been ignored by NG! It is my understanding that the marsh is home to 147 species of birds, 19 of which are on the Red List. There is a lack of clarity in the environmental assessment document (no doubt made so huge so as to make it practically impossible to understand) – and whilst I understand that NGs wildlife surveys are not yet 100% complete, there do seem to be some worrying anomalies between your findings and those of local environmentalists. There are species missing (or NG are saying there are none) when independent counts have been carried out. You say that the requisition of new land along the River Stour will allow for ‘enhanced environmental measures’ is somewhat misleading (and meaningless) as it is already just that – a natural, unspoiled green space. I would urge NG to explore the possibility of other sites and have the environment (and protection/mitigation of the same) at the forefront of any decisions. I have no doubt that none of our concerns will be listened to or taken into account; however, at least I can say that I tried. Yours faithfully Alana S Smith
Advice given
Dear Alana Thank you for your email. The proposed application for the Sea Link Project is currently at the Pre-application stage of the Planning Act 2008 process. Further information about the process can be found in the link below to the National Infrastructure Planning website: The stages of the NSIP process and how you can have your say. The Planning Inspectorate is unable to consider representations about the merits of any application until it has been submitted and accepted for Examination. As the application has not yet been formally submitted to the Planning Inspectorate your first point of contact should be the developer (National Grid), and we would encourage you to contact them directly: Email: contact@sealink.nationalgrid.com Telephone: 0808 134 9569 Post: Freepost SEA LINK It is important that the developer is made aware of your comments at the Pre-application stage to enable them to consider the points raised before finalising their proposals and submitting the application. If you have not already done so, we advise that you submit your comments to National Grid at the contact details above. Their consultation period was from 8 July - 11 August 2024 but we would still encourage you to contact the Applicant directly. Should the application be accepted for Examination you will be able to register as an Interested Party by submitting a relevant representation. This must be submitted on the ‘Registration and Relevant Representation form’ which will be made available on the project webpage of the National Infrastructure Planning website at the appropriate time. Further information about registering as an Interested Party can be found in the Planning Inspectorate’s ‘Advice Note: Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects: How to register to have your say and make a relevant representation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) You may also find it helpful to subscribe to us to receive email notifications for key events that occur after an application has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. This can be done by selecting ‘Get Updates’ on the Planning Inspectorate’s project webpage and then entering your email address: Sea Link - Project information (planninginspectorate.gov.uk). Kind regards