DON'T THROW THIS IN THE BIN! - PLEASE READ IT AND ACT
Major Infrastructure Project to come to fields near Friston?
Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) will need to build a group of three electricity substations to connect their proposed two new offshore windfarms to the National Grid pylons.
SPR came to present to the Parish Council at their meeting on 5 th March. No preference for a site location was mentioned at that stage, but it seemed likely to be in the Sizewell/Leiston area, and your Parish Council stated a preference for Zone 3 (see on the map overleaf).
However, at Public Information Days last weekend, the impression was given to several members of the public attending that SPR are leaning towards Zone 7 as their preferred site. This includes the area of land to the north of the village, on the way to High House Farm.
The substations will be huge, covering a total area of around 30 acres (16 football pitches, or a housing estate of 200 houses). The external gantries and housing buildings will be 15-18 metres (5-6 storeys) high. All transformers make a humming noise – so will these, as they will handle almost 2 GW of power.
They will need to be linked to the coast between Sizewell and Thorpeness by underground cables, which will cut a swathe 50 metres wide across the countryside.
Construction of the whole project is scheduled to start in 2024, and last for two years.
There is no local benefit to this project, but there will be disruption, noise, visual impact, local business impact, and possible flooding issues. If Zone 7 is chosen, the haul route for construction traffic would be through Sternfield, and a new road to the site would be cut across fields between Manor Farm and Friston House. If necessary, a new bridge would be built across the Fromus in Sternfield.
More details of the project can be found online: Google “East Anglia Two”, and choosewww.scottishpowerrenewables.com/pages/east_anglia_two.aspx . It is worth looking at SPR Information Boards March 2018,Onshore Study Area and Substation Zones and Statement of Community Consultation.
It is worth having your say to SPR about the prospect of Zone 7 being chosen, and quickly. Email contact iseastangliatwo@scottishpower.com , or write to Scottish Power Renewables East Anglia Two, RTLY-RLGH-GKSE, FREEPOST, 25 Priestgate, Peterborough, PE1 1JL.
This document has been compiled and distributed in haste, with the authorisation of the Chairman of Friston Parish Council.
Please feel free to photocopy this document and distribute further.
New committee/working party to discuss the SPR proposals
Friston Parish Council would like to set up a special committee to focus on the possible location of the Sub-stations for Scottish Power. This committee would liaise on behalf of Friston Parish Council directly with SPR & their communications groups and any other representatives that they see fit. They will have delegated powers to lobby on behalf of the council and the village and a budget may be set by Council to fund any costs (as available within the precept and reserves).
The Committee will report to Council as and when required at regular meetings and may request a special extraordinary meeting if necessary.
Council is therefore looking for members of the public who would be willing to be on this committee – probably a maximum of 8. There will be at least one member of council on the committee. Skills that would be particularly useful would be Legal knowledge, Marketing/Campaign and Communication, Financial acumen, project management and anyone who has ever been involved in campaigning previously. Council would also welcome people who wish to be involved irrespective of experience. It is envisaged that there would be a lot of involvement with political groups such as the MP and County Council as well as SPR.
If sufficient people are prepared to assist, a special meeting of Friston PC will be held so as to resolve to create this committee and its terms of reference.
If you are interested please contact the Clerk. Likewise if you know someone who might be interested, please pass on this request.
Karen Forster
Clerk to Friston Parish Council
Orchard House, Chediston Rd., Wissett, IP19 0NF
01986 785428
