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20/03/19: Parish Council respond to the Phase 4 Consultation

Read their response here.

Phase 4 Consultation

ScottishPower Renewables Phase 4 Consultation for East Anglia ONE North will take place in early 2019.

This consultation phase will be based around a draft Environmental Statement which will set out the proposed infrastructure and its likely potential environmental impacts. The site selection chapter will set out the reasons for SPR’s choice of substation sites, taking into account the environmental, social and economic effects and including, where relevant, technical and commercial feasibility.

As part of this consultation phase we will hold a series of Public Information Days where experts will be on hand to discuss with you the projects impact and proposed mitigation options. You can register your interest to receive further updates here.

Date	Town / Village	Address	Time
16/02/2019	Friston	Friston Village Hall, Church Road, Friston, Saxmundham, IP17 1PU	10am - 4pm
18/02/2019	Aldeburgh	Aldeburgh Church Hall, Victoria Road, Aldeburgh, IP15 5EA	2pm - 7pm
20/02/2019	Leiston	Sizewell Sports and Social Club, King George's Avenue, Leiston, IP16 4JX	2pm - 7pm
21/02/2019	Orford	Town Hall, Market Hill, Orford, Woodbridge, IP12 2NZ	2pm - 7pm
22/02/2019	Knodishall	Knodishall Village Hall, School Road, Knodishall, IP17 1UD	2pm - 7pm
23/02/2019	Thorpeness	Thorpeness Country Club, The Benthills, IP16 4NU	10am - 4pm
25/02/2019	Southwold	Stella Peskett Hall, Mights Road, Southwold, IP18 6BE	2pm- 7pm
27/02/2019	Friston	Friston Village Hall, Church Road, Friston, Saxmundham, IP17 1PU	2pm - 7pm
28/02/2019	Thorpeness	Thorpeness Country Club, The Benthills, IP16 4NU	2pm - 7pm
01/03/2019	Aldeburgh	Aldeburgh Church Hall, Victoria Road, Aldeburgh, IP15 5EA	2pm - 7pm
02/03/2019	Knodishall	Knodishall Village Hall, School Road, Knodishall, IP17 1UD	10am - 4pm
04/03/2019	Southwold	Stella Peskett Hall, Mights Road, Southwold, IP18 6BE	2pm - 7pm
09/03/2019	Leiston	Sizewell Sports and Social Club, King George's Avenue, Leiston, IP16 4JX	10am - 4pm

ScottishPower Renewables Phase 3.5 Consultation extended for two weeks.

"After listening to feedback from local authorities and residents, we have decided to extend the Phase 3.5 consultation period by a further two weeks, to the 12 November 2018. As a responsible developer, we go above and beyond statutory requirements, carrying out effective stakeholder engagement to ensure we obtain and consider as much feedback as possible."

During this phase of consultation, we have hosted four public meetings, posted consultation documents and feedback forms to 16,000 homes across the onshore search area and made documents available at a range of public buildings. We hope that through extending the consultation period as many people as possible will provide feedback on the proposals, which will be fully considered in the assessment process.

To read more click here.

On 23rd August Aldringham Parish Council responded to ScottishPower Renewables Phase 3 Consultation:

ALDRINGHAM-CUM-THORPE PARISH COUNCIL

Scottish Power Renewables EA2 and EA1N

RTLY-RLGH-GKSE

Freepost

25 Priestgate

Peterborough

PE1 1JL

23rd August 2018

Dear Sirs,

EA1N and EA2 Offshore Wind Farms – Community Consultation Phase Three

Following the publication of the ‘Approach to Site Selection’ and the details of the Landfall refined area of search, the onshore cable corridor refined area of search and the substation refined area of search, published in the Community Consultation Phase Three documentation, we still believe the only acceptable location for the substations is as stated previously in our response to the Stage One Statutory Consultation on the 11th April (see attached) for a single energy hub to be located at Sizewell. We are in full agreement with SCC, SCDC and the involved Town and Parish Councils who all believe that a holistic approach should be taken to include all the energy delivery projects that are proposed for this area. They are currently East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two Windfarms, Nautilus and Eurolink interconnectors and Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station. They should all be accommodated in one location adjacent to the existing Nuclear Power Stations of Sizewell A and Sizewell B, creating a single integrated energy hub that is capable of accommodating the infrastructure required for all the projects.

We ask that SPR participate with an open mind in the discussions which are striving to bring some joined up thinking to the situation and to find an outcome which is most appropriate for the long term sustainability of this area and its contribution to the energy coast.

It is also likely that a number of these projects will be delivered at the same time, therefore, it is essential that any mitigation measures recognise the impacts of not only of the individual projects but also of the combined impacts that will be experienced over their construction and operational periods.

As with the mitigation, amelioration measures put in place to compensate the affected communities for the disruption during construction and the ongoing impacts of operation should be considered holistically, it is essential to include all the projects in order to maximise the benefits that can be delivered.

Regardless of the location of the substations, the landfall for the offshore cables is indicated to be just to the north of Thorpeness. It is our understanding that a significant area of land will be required to carry out the major works at this location, requiring a large amount of manpower, plant and materials. We are concerned by the potential disruption that will be caused by these works over an extended period of time, which will only be exacerbated if the interconnector cables also come ashore at this point. It is therefore essential we have further discussions to better understand what is proposed for this location and how the impacts of the work will be mitigated, including those to the environment including the SSSI, road traffic disruption, noise, dust and light pollution. Also, we need to know how site restoration and long term amelioration measures will be put in place to compensate the parish for having to suffer these works. These could be in the form of coastal defences, improvement to the heathland and road improvements to the B1353 Thorpe Road including the provision of a cycle/footpath.

We note that the field adjacent to the B1353 Thorpe road, between the Thorpeness Almshouses and The Pavilion is shown as possibly being required for the works. The Almshouses provide homes for infirm and elderly residents who would find the disruption particularly hard to bear. In addition, this Field has been identified as a possible exception site to accommodate affordable housing for the village. It is also an extremely dangerous location to gain access to Thorpe Road. If access is required from the B1353 Thorpe Road to the cable Landfall site, then further discussion is required to identify a more appropriate location.

The B1315 east of Aldringham crossroads to Thorpeness is also a concern. Although it is just wide enough to accommodate most traffic, there is also a very hazarders section where it crosses the old railway line and were golfers cross the road, there have been numerous accidents at this point over the years and any additional construction traffic would be of major concern. The road is used extensively by cyclists and some walkers and therefore poses a different set of dangers, which would only be made worse by increased use, particularly by larger vehicles.

If the location of the substations remains west of the B1122 then we also require further discussion on the impact of the road crossings required and how the traffic will be handled in the area. A particular concern is the pinch point across the B1122 to the south of Aldringham Court, a listed building of local and historical importance, where it is essential that works are carried out in the best way to preserve as much of its character as possible whilst ensuring minimum traffic disruption though the village of Aldringham. The B1353 Aldringham Lane to the west of Aldringham crossroads already suffers from side erosion due to being very narrow, it also has a very restricted width at the west end junction to the B1069 at Coldfair Green onto the B1353 and at the east end as it comes down Mill Hill towards the Parrot and Punchbowl. This lane is already a concern for residents owing to its use by numerous large agricultural vehicles and increasing commercial traffic that already cause many problems made worse with the increasing traffic flow we are seeing from new housing in Leiston.

This part of the coast has a high number of visitors and the local tourist industry makes a significant contribution to the local economy, therefore it is important that disruption to visitors is kept to a minimum and they are not discouraged from visiting the area. It is also essential that access to the coastal strip and the numerous footpaths across this part of the AONB and beyond are kept open and available to both residents and tourists who make extensive use of them.

In light of the above we would like an early meeting to discuss more fully the issues and concerns we have identified.

Yours Sincerely

Eric Atkinson

Chairman

ScottishPower Renewables Announce EA1 and EA2 Community Consultation Phase 3

The following information has been released by ScottishPower Renewables:

Community Consultation Phase 3

Phase 3 of our community consultation takes place from 16th May until 28th August, 31 days after our last planned Public Information Day (PID). We would like to invite you to our next round of PID events so we can consult with your on this area and obtain your feedback.

The key focus of Phase 3 will be to consult on our Indicative Onshore Development Area, which can be found here . In particular we would welcome your views on any mitigation that may be required.

Material for these PID events will be published on our website on the 28th of June. We will post a PID feedback questionnaire on the website and this will be available to download and send to us. This feedback can be sent up to the close of the Phase 3 Consultation on the 28th of August. The feedback questionnaire will also be available on the day at each of the PID events

We will be liaising with local parish councils in the build up to the PID events and we encourage you to attend these briefing sessions to ensure you are well informed throughout the Phase 3 Consultation. Further information on these parish council briefings can be found within the flow chart and video below.

The table below provides the locations and dates for the next series of public information days we will be holding as part of Phase 3 throughout June and July.

LOCATION	VENUE	DATE	TIME
Orford	Town Hall	Thursday 28th June	4pm-7pm
Friston	Village Hall	Friday 29th June	10am-1pm
Leiston	Sizewell Sports and Social Hall	Friday 29th June	3pm-6pm
Southwold	Stella Peskett Hall	Saturday 30th June	10am-1pm

Lowestoft	Victoria Hotel	Thursday 5th July	4pm-7pm
Aldeburgh	Jubilee Hall	Friday 6th July	10am-1pm
Thorpeness	Country Club	Saturday 7th July	10am-1pm

Aldeburgh	St Peters and St Pauls Church Hall	Thursday 26th July	4pm-7pm
Leiston	Sizewell Sports and Social Hall	Friday 27th July	10am-1pm
Southwold	Rugby Club	Friday 27th July	3pm-6pm
Friston	Village Hall	Saturday 28th July	10am-1pm
Thorpeness	Country Club	Saturday 28th July	3pm-6pm

Source:
https://www.scottishpowerrenewables.com/pages/east_anglia_one_north.aspx

Suffolk Coastal and Waveney District Councils as well as Suffolk County Council responded to ScottishPower Renewables EA1N and EA2 Windfarms Consultation on 17th April, 2018. Their response can be read here:

On 13th April, 2018, the Parish Council formally responded to the ScottishPower Renewables EA1N and EA2 Windfarms Consultation.

Click here to read their full response.

EAST ANGLIA ONE NORTH and EAST ANGLIA TWO ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) has been planning the delivery of two new offshore wind farm projects in the East Anglia zone, called East Anglia ONE North and East Anglia TWO.

Detail on the two projects are published and maintained by SPR on the following websites.

https://www.scottishpowerrenewables.com/pages/east_anglia_one_north.aspx

https://www.scottishpowerrenewables.com/pages/east_anglia_two.aspx

What we know

Onshore in this area, there will be:-

A National Grid substation: 325m (approximately one quarter-mile) x 140m (150yd) x 13m (40ft) high
Two connection substations: Each 190m (200yd) x 190m (200yd) x 21m (69ft) high, and each with 18m (60ft) external equipment
Underground cabling which will occupy a swathe of land 50m (55 yards) wide
The location of the substations has not yet been defined.
The offshore cabling is to reach shore at a place (not yet announced) on the coast between Sizewell and Thorpeness.
An “Onshore study area” for determining where to locate substations and cabling has been drawn south of Leiston, stretching from Sizewell and past Knodishall.
A significant part of the Parish of Aldringham-cum-Thorpe lies within the Study Area (except Thorpeness, The Meare, The Fens and some land to the south of the Parish up to the boundary with Knodishall)
Land owners may be required to release land for the cable tranche and/or substations.
Savills has been appointed as land agents to support SPR.
Onshore environmental surveys are due to commence during the Spring 2018, following selection of a preferred cable route. The SPR team will also be undertaking initial site surveys to identify potentially sensitive species and habitats and to generally understand the area better.
There was a SPR Information Day held in Leiston on 31^st October, 2017.
The Parish Council hosted SPR at its regular meeting on 27th November, 2017.

Next Steps

SPR intends to hold further events in June and November of this year. At these events summary material will be provided regarding the nature of the projects and its approach to development and assessment of impacts as the projects are developed throughout the year. Further information on its consultation plans will be published in late February in what is known as a Statement of Community Consultation.

To register your interest with SPR in order to be kept up to date as this project progresses, click here.

https://www.scottishpowerrenewables.com/pages/east_anglia_contact_us.aspx

Alan Williams, Councillor, Aldringham-cum-Thorpe Parish Council

Phase 4 Consultation

Date

Town / Village

Address

Time