Pylons
Rivenhall Airfield Major waste Site and Incinerator
Horkesley Park Conservation and Heritage Centre. New Planning Proposal (see below)
CSCA Letter to Colchester Borough Council. (This follows the above.)
Fly Tipping
Wind Turbines
.
Response by the Colne-Stour Countryside Association to National Grid’s proposals for new overhead lines from Bramford to Twinstead.
1. The Colne-Stour Countryside Association (“The Association”) is a long established association, with over 600 members and 23 affiliated parishes, formed to protect the countryside abounding the mid and upper Colne and Stour Valleys. This includes the area either side of the Stour Valley immediately South of Sudbury, sometimes known as “Gainsborough country”, which will be severely damaged if National Grid’s proposals were to go through.
2. The Association strongly opposes all four overland proposals, each of which cuts through the very picturesque and undulating countryside leading across the river valley, through to The Hennies and Twinstead. An area which has been the inspiration for artists such as Gainsborough and which must continue to be protected for future generations.
3. A decision has already been taken by the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project (funded by Natural England and the Local Authorities) to apply to have a large part of this area, already a Special Landscape Area, included in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Association strongly supports this. These “untouched” rolling valleys are becoming increasingly scarce. All four corridors go through the proposed extension.
4. The environmental damage caused by large pylons and overhead cables is severe. The countryside will be scarred. Houses will be blighted. What was a beautiful landscape is then lost forever. As has been stated many times, the fact that there are existing lines passing through these valleys cannot be seen as a reason to further damage this landscape.
5. National Grid has failed to conduct a proper consultation as required by the Planning Act 2008. The Guidance on pre-application consultation, which National Grid has a statutory obligation to have regard to, was not genuinely followed.
6. Paragraph 16 states that National Grid was required before the proposals were finalised, to ensure the local authorities and other relevant organisations can
•“put forward their own ideas and feel confident that there is a process for considering ideas,
• have an active role in developing proposals and options to ensure local knowledge and perspectives are taken into account,
• comment on and influence formal proposals.
7. Paragraph 18 states that “it is important, therefore, that an effective process is in place for further information sharing, in both directions, to the benefit of both communities and promoters.”
8. Paragraph 19 states “it is important that, where possible, communities are able to participate early, when proposals and options are being developed. People need to know that their participation can make a difference.”
9. It is believed that no genuine attempt has been made to allow the local communities to put forward their own ideas and help develop the appropriate options to be put out for consultation; options, which, unlike the four proposals, would have complied with both the East of England and Local Authority Plans as well as the Holford Rules for protecting the landscape in AONBs and Special Landscape Areas.
10. Instead of which, National Grid decided for itself to reject any alternatives to overland pylons, primarily on cost grounds, and simply presented the four very similar options (all carrying similar cost), as a fait accompli.It is believed that no attempt was made, for example, to engage with the local organisations on the possibility of a more direct and hence shorter underground tunnel route, or on how to assess the true environmental impact of each of the four overland routes and gauge the public’s preference for more costly but environmentally preferable alternatives.
11. It is unclear how far National Grid has properly addressed the environmental impact, other than by considering narrow issues such as the likely effect on tourism. As with the submissions from the Dedham Vale Society, the essential issue is the right balance to be struck between financial cost and the environmental benefit, in its widest sense. There has been no attempt by National Grid to address this, other than by ruling out more expensive alternatives on cost. It is suspected that National Grid have no developed principles by which to assess the social benefits of less environmentally damaging alternatives and balance these against their higher cost. There has been no
attempt to research the public’s willingness to pay to avoid overhead pylons in Special Landscape Areas. Again as the Dedham Vale Society’s Response shows, the additional cost per household of undergrounding in tunnel the whole length from Bramford to Twinstead is trivial (2p per month). Even if all high-voltage transmission in the National Parks were put underground over a 14 year period it would only add 50p per year to household bills.
12. It is questioned whether before deciding on the four overland routes, National Grid ever undertook any detailed cost breakdown on the alternative of taking power under sea direct to Bradwell or the Thames estuary.
13. There is no longer any urgency for a new 400kV line between Bramford and Twinstead if the planned replacement of conductors on existing lines goes ahead. This alone will provide a 30% increase in capacity, more than enough for the planned power stations at Kings Lynn and New Holland.
14. The likely date for the start of transmission from the new nuclear power station at Sizewell and the off shore wind farms has slipped substantially since National Grid initiated this application and will not now be before the 2020s. Moreover, the additional 400kV line from Bramford to Twinstead will likely be inadequate to accommodate the total output once the future east coast nuclear power plants and all anticipated wind farms come on stream in the next15 to 20 years.
15. There is now sufficient time to thoroughly investigate more substantial environmentally acceptable proposals fit for the 21st century, which will satisfy the demand in the London area, and, crucially, accommodate future electricity generation through to 2030 and beyond (including the next anticipated batch of Round 3 wind farms). This investigation should not only include the possibility of different connection points for future East coast offshore wind generation nearer to the point of greatest demand; connection points which would obviate any need for an additional Bramford to Twinstead line; but also the adoption of new transmission and storage technologies already under development, as set out in the ENSG Electricity Transmission Report “A Vision for 2020”.
16. Specifically, it will allow time for a thorough investigation into new cable technology for under sea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission.
17. Furthermore, as the Addendum to the ENSG Report states, it will probably be necessary to construct a further 400kV double circuit route between Walpole and the Eaton- Socon overhead transmission route. If further investigation to provide a long term UK solution shows that this will happen in any event, the additional 400kV line between Bramford and Twinstead may turn out to be unnecessary on this ground alone.
18. For the above reasons and those advanced by other opposing organisations, including Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project, The Dedham Vale Society and Stour Valley Underground, National Grid should not be permitted to proceed with any of the four overland routes.
Charles Aldous (Chairman) 26th February 2010.
To Robin Clarke,
OPM,
25b Gray’s Inn Road,
London WC1 8WG.
RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION ON NATIONAL POLICY STATEMENTS EN-1 & EN-5.
This response represents the views of the Colne-Stour Countryside Association; a long standing Association formed to protect the countryside of North Essex/South Suffolk, including the upper Stour Valley, seriously affected by the National Grid’s Bramford to Twinstead Overground Power Line Project.
The following comments address particular concerns with the draft Policy Statements EN-I and EN-5, which should be reflected in the final version before it is formally approved.
As a general comment, the regulatory framework is tilted too strongly to an acceptance of overhead pylons as the most efficient and economic system for electricity transmission. The suitability and cost of electricity transmission proposals should be looked at on a whole life cost/ benefit, calculated across the full working lifetime of the proposed installation. It should not be determined, as at present, on a short term view, largely on their upfront capital cost.
Although it may have a cost element, protection of the environment for future generations is becoming increasingly important. Damage to the landscape from large scale pylons can be severe and permanent. There is insufficient emphasis on the need, in appropriate cases, for National Grid to prefer what may in financial terms be a more expensive solution, but is one (a) which has significant environmental benefits, (b) which, if the public were surveyed, would show that they demand it and (c) which will have a minimal effect on tariffs, if looked at as cost to the end user.
NATIONAL POLICY STATEMENT EN-1.
Section 3.3.22:
It is recognised that interconnection to Europe on the East coast will become increasingly important to the United Kingdom. New East coast transmission proposals for nuclear and off shore wind farms should anticipate this and may, as a consequence of increased sub sea transmission to centres of demand, lessen the need for some new on land infrastructure there.
Part 4.
Section 4.1.1.
Given the importance of subsections (ii) to (v), this section should make it clear that subsection (i) is subject to these, by inserting- “(subject to subsections ii to v)”- after “operate” in the 3rd line.
Section 4.1,5
We suggest the words from “directly related” be revised. Otherwise it may not permit the IPC, in an appropriate case where there will be serious environmental detriment, to require money to be made available by way of a Section 106 payment for e.g. undergrounding non National Grid cables in areas to be affected by the newly erected pylons. There will be other examples where the Section 106 payment will be appropriate, but arguably not “directly related to the proposed development”.
Further Section.
There also needs to be a section entitling the IPC to require the applicant to reconsider the need or timing for the development and, if necessary re-engage with the generator, if, by the time the matter comes before it, circumstances have materially changed, for example deferring the need for the grid connection or making alternative connection points which are as or more suitable.
Section 4.1.6
As drafted this section unfairly impedes objectors by making it too difficult for them to contend that the applicant’s assessment methods are flawed and there are less objectionable but viable alternatives which have, as a consequence of the flawed assessment, been rejected (e.g. tunnelling, sub sea cabling or alternative routing). It is likely that such objections will rightly be at the core of many disputed applications.
Section 4.13
This section should advocate a precautionary approach to the installation of High Voltage AC lines, whilst the evidence may be inconclusive. The Statement should adopt prevailing European standards and rule out such overhead power lines passing within 200 metres of dwellings and twice this distance of schools. Childhood leukaemia is a risk which must not be run.
Section 4.24
If, rightly, the IPC has to reach its own judgment on whether or not to allow development within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and other scenically important parts, consideration needs to be given to whether it should be entitled to commission public surveys (at the expense of the applicant) to properly assess the public interest. Without this, its knowledge may be seriously deficient on an issue of huge importance to many.
NATIONAL POLICY STATEMENT EN-5.
Section 2.1.1
It is important to make clear that the “need” which has been demonstrated is a need for transmitting electricity from the relevant generators to where demand will be; and not necessarily a need for transmission in the manner and by the route specified by the applicant. As drafted the Section may arguably require the IPC to start by assuming that a need for transmission into the Grid at the point and by the method specified by the applicant has been shown. This is not acceptable and should be made clear to avoid misunderstanding.
Section 2.3.3
The two bullet points are expressed in the alternative. As drafted, the first bullet point, precludes the IPC from also taking account of “reasonably anticipated future requirements” when considering whether the infrastructure project should be considered in isolation. This is wrong. Where it is reasonably clear that there will in the not too distant future be requirements for additional transmission in the proximity, the IPC should be entitled to require that the project is environmentally designed to accommodate both.
Section 2.3.5
To avoid argument that, as drafted, this subsection gives primacy to National Grid’s solution, there needs to be a second sentence to the effect that the IPC can require National Grid (1) to demonstrate that the solution also takes sufficient account of environmental and social costs, and (2) to calculate the project cost over the working life of the transmission equipment to be used.
Section 2.7.4
Rewrite the bullet points to emphasise that siting of pylons only applies where overhead lines are the most suitable, so as to recognise that there have been significant advances in undergrounding and sub sea cabling.
Section 2.7.7
As drafted, this is an oversimplification. The cost of laying cables underground is not only reducing, but when looked at on a whole life basis is often not materially disproportionate.
Section 2.7.8
Again this is an oversimplification. Maintenance and repair costs of both overhead cables and underground tunnels over their full lifetime need careful evaluation, particularly when including costs of repairing overhead cables from storm damage, snow etc. The sentence relating to uprating is wrong. So far as overhead lines, uprating can only be done when the original pylons are at less than full potential. The comparison with underground appears to relate to buried cables, not tunnels.
Section 2.7.9
This section relates to out of date methods and needs rewriting to take account of new technologies and best practice.
Section 2.7.10
As drafted this section leans too heavily in favour of overhead lines in every case and puts too heavy an onus on the objector. It is not just the upfront costs which are relevant, but the costs calculated over their whole working life. The section should be more neutral, so as to require the IPC, in appropriate cases where serious visual intrusion and environmental damage is obvious, to be satisfied that overhead cables are the most suitable. Also, the section should not state that undergrounding carries extra social and environmental costs. It is in fact large scale pylons traversing the landscape which can cause serious environmental and social cost.
Section 2.9
As stated above, a precautionary approach should be taken to siting overhead cables. This is a continuing worry both to scientists and to very many ordinary people. It seriously blights some properties because of it. Once erected, these cables are unlikely ever to be removed, if further research reveals a clear connection with human health. The risk should not be taken.
These comments are designed to improve the drafting and make the ground rules more even between applicants and objectors. We ask that these comments be given the most careful consideration
Charles Aldous QC. (Chairman). 17th February 2010
National Grid’s proposals for new pylons from Bramford to Twinstead.
This is possibly one of the greatest threats to our part of the Stour Valley. Below you will see a plan of the 4 alternative routes proposed by the National Grid for new power lines to accommodate additional electricity coming from new nuclear reactors at Sizewell, further gas power stations at Kings Lynn and New Holland and offshore wind farms. If allowed, this will have a devastating effect on the area east of Twinstead, including the beautiful valleys through from Lamarsh and the Hennys. Even the proposed corridors 1&2 along the route of the existing pylons will involve in a second set of large 400KV pylons, possibly replacing the smaller 132KV pylons.
Readers should access the National Grid’s website for more detail on their proposals at www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/MajorProjects/BramfordTwinstead.
There is already strong opposition from a large number of groups and organisations, including the Dedham Vale Society and the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project. The East Anglian Daily Times is covering the issue extensively and spear heading a campaign to stop the pylons. As many as possible should register their opposition online by going on to the EADT website at www.eadt.co.uk and typing in “pylons”. The position being taken by your Association is to join with others to do what it can to try and pressure the National Grid to put as much as possible underground, including if feasible the existing power lines across the more beautiful parts of our area. This is being strenuously resisted by the National Grid who maintain that to put power lines underground can cost up to 17 times as much as overhead lines, (i.e. £30 to £40 million per mile compared with around £2.4 million per mile for overhead lines), as well as carrying with it greater maintenance problems. These assertions need to be tested. More to the point is the cost of undergrounding relative to the revenue which will be earned. It is likely that the National Grid will be attempting to negotiate with individual landowners in advance for access and wayleaves for overhead lines. It is important that landowners resist and stand out for the greater prize of having the lines laid underground.
Stour Valley Underground (SVU) has been established principally to represent those living in the area within Lamarsh, Alphamstone, Middleton, the Hennys and Twinstead. Much work has already been done by them. They have an excellent website which should be visited at http://stourvalleyunderground.org.uk/.It is a sad fact that the existing pylons, which have already created such a scar on the landscape, make the argument that the new pylons will destroy the area that much more difficult. However were all power lines to be put underground, there is a strong case for this area qualifying for AONB status. This aspect should be pursued further in conjunction with the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project.
For those wishing to delve deeper there are useful websites to access, including the anti pylon campaigners, Revolt, at www.revolt.co.uk/new/FAQs.php; and information on the Governments new planning authority at http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/utilities/article68566130.ece
Charles Aldous
23.10.2009
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Latest Update and comments from Charles Aldous - Chairman CSCA
Many of you will have already attended one of the National Grid’s presentations. If you have not, do please go to one of the remaining meetings and inform yourself. It will only take about 30 - 45 minutes. Presentations are scheduled at Wickham St Pauls Village Hall on 5th January 2010 (12noon to 9pm.); Assington Village Hall on 15th January (12noon to 9pm); and Castle Hedingham Memorial Hall on 11th February (12noon to 9pm). If none of these is convenient, further meetings are listed on the National Grid, Twinstead to Bramford website.
We must accept that there is a need for further capacity in the National Grid, particularly for the supply of electricity to London and other parts of southern England, and that this will have to come from the two new gas power stations at Kings Lynn and New Holland and, probably, a new nuclear station at Sizewell. There is also the electricity from the wind farms
The first consultation stage to decide on one of the four identified corridors (shown on the plan attached to the earlier article) expires on the 28th February. It is not entirely clear how National Grid chose only these four corridors, ruling out other possible more direct routes into the National Grid and/or undersea cables from Sizewell. It is almost certain that, with minor constraints, they were selected as the cheapest, at least if looked at over a short time frame, under which the National Grid operates. For those living near Twinstead, if corridor two is chosen, National Grid intends to acquire and replace EDF’s 132 K-V line with huge 46.5 m pylons, which will create a need for a new large unsightly substation in your area.
By arranging for stage one of the consultation process to decide on which of four selected corridors to take forward, National Grid hope to have forestalled any debate on other possible routes to access the grid, and in the process have caused conflict between parishes. It is most unfortunate that there are some parishes who see their prime objective as ensuring National Grid select one of the other routes away from their area, with insufficient regard to the effect of overland cables across this beautiful part of Suffolk and North Essex.
Your Association’s position is to campaign for under grounding and not engage in trying to persuade the National Grid to prefer one route to any other. We are giving unqualified support to Stour Valley Underground, formed to represent the communities between Twinstead and Lamarsh/Middleton. SVU are campaigning for under grounding, without differentiating between routes. They have undertaken a huge amount of work for the cause. I urge members to visit their web site, where you will find a lot of information on such matters as the vital need of protecting these lovely valleys and, importantly, the feasibility, benefits and cost of under grounding.
Clearly what is needed is to pull together all those taking a similar position, whilst harnessing the work and expertise of SVU, so that we can speak with greater force and better organise opposition. Your Association will be liaising with the Dedham Vale Society, which takes a similar stance, and would like to see existing cables put underground as well. If corridor 1 or 2 is chosen. National Grid will possibly have to put the cables underground where they pass through part of the Dedham Vale AONB, as there may be requirements for under grounding in any Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We will be urging for, and supporting, an application to extend the existing AONB up towards Sudbury, if this is possible. This would impose a greater duty on National Grid to preserve the Stour valley.
National Grid claim that under grounding costs up to 17 times more than overland cabling. SVU has looked into this in other European countries, where power cables are consistently put underground, and where the cost may be as little as 6 times above ground.
It has been urged on us, from many quarters, that numbers do count. Please do not assume that others have the matter in hand and will look after your interests. Do sign the SVU petition (see below for their website) and also write to as many interested parties as possible, the National Grid, your MP and County and local Councillors.
www.stourvalleyunderground.org.uk Just click here and you will go straight into their website.
The address for the National Grid is: - “Freepost, Bramford, RRKX/EBGK/XXHT, Bramford to Twinstead 400KV overhead line project, Consultation Response, PO Box 5689, London WIA 4FG”.
Charles Aldous 7th December 2009
Rivenhall Airfield Major waste Site and Incinerator
N.B. This matter went to enquiry the results of which are awaited
For those who are unaware:
A planning application has been submitted to Essex County Council for a 360,000 tonne per annum waste incinerator on Rivenhall Airfield, part of an application for a huge regional waste site, with a total capacity of well over a million tonnes of waste per year, operating 24 hours a day. It is envisaged that this would incinerate about 200,000 tonnes per annum of shredded black bag waste from the whole of Essex plus a similar amount of other waste from Essex and beyond.
HGV movements would probably be over 400 per day, with the main access off the already over capacity A120 at Bradwell, just south of Braintree. Campaigners believe this number will be much higher with, lorries using local roads to get to the Bradwell turning.
Quite apart from the serious road congestion, there is a very real concern that local people and wildlife could be subject to unacceptable amounts of pollutants(including gasses and particulates), some possibly harmful, for very many years.
Do strongly advise members to write in and object. Further information is available on website www.bugleonline.co.uk or the national web update on incinerators www.ukwin.org.uk
If necessary you can contact Cllrs. James Abbott and Philip Hughes, tel 01376 584576: e-mail james abbott@btinternet.com
Those writing in to object to the planning application should:
Quote reference number ESS/37/08/BTE (“Reg 19” information) and address it to:
Philip Thomson, Essex Legal Services, New Bridge House, 60/68 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 pd or by e-mail to mineralsandwasteDC@essex.gov.uk
Please also write to GO-East, to call for a public enquiry, to joanna.tweed@goeast.gsi.gov.uk
Charles Aldous (Chairman)
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Horkesley Park Heritage and Conservation Centre
At the end of February Bunting and Son resubmitted their planning application for the Horkesley Park Heritage and Conservation Centre. In many important respects the proposal has not changed. If allowed, they are forecasting 450,000 visitors in the opening year, planning for substantial café and restaurant facilities and over 48,000 sq. ft of covered garden centre, food experience and ancillary buildings, all open 364 days of the year. You can see the proposals on line at www.colchester.gov.uk/planning. Many of those objectors who have studied the proposals see them as in reality a retail scheme dressed up as a Heritage and Conservation Centre.
Along with the Dedham Vale Society, your Association is strongly opposed to the Horkesley Park proposals. If permitted they will seriously damage the character of the Dedham Vale, an important area of outstanding natural beauty. It’s unspoilt character and tranquillity will be destroyed forever. There will be a huge amount of extra traffic, leading in the summer months to congestion in the local villages and country lanes. If the purpose were really to enable people to visit and enjoy the countryside, they can do this already for free (not at a cost of up to £10.95 pp and with the footpaths fenced off to prevent access into the proposed countryside park!)
Even though objection is being spearheaded by the Stour Valley Action Group (which we support), we would ask you, and as many others as you can persuade, to write to:
John Davies,
Principal Planning Officer,
Colchester Borough Council,
PO Box 889,
Town Hall,
Colchester
CO1 1FL.
Or e-mail to: planning.sevices@colchester.gov.ukApplication
No. 090231 must be quoted and your address given on any letter or e-mail, which must be received by the 17th April. NUMBERS REALLY DO MATTER- IT IS VITAL THAT AS MANY LETTERS/E-MAILS AS POSSIBLE ARE SENT.Though a matter entirely for you, points to take may include: -• If allowed, the development will have a serious adverse effect on the Dedham Vale AONB, permanently destroying the peace and tranquillity of this unique part of East Anglian countryside.
• A predicted first year attendance of 485,000 with a turnover of £13.4 million represents an inappropriate development as defined in the Colchester Borough Council Core Strategy Document.
• The income for the first year includes £2.8 million from food and restaurant sales and £7.3 million from “gifts”. This is in reality a retail outlet. Such out of town retail facilities are excluded by the national guidelines (contained in PPS6).
• The road infrastructure is wholly unsuitable. It is highly doubtful whether the access off the A12 will be completed within the timescale. Quite apart from the undesirability of attracting such a large number of vehicles off the A12 along the A134, it is inevitable that there will be a very large and unacceptable increase in traffic coming from other directions through the local villages and country lanes.
• At peak times the traffic on the A134 will be intolerable. Many drivers currently using the A134 will also develop “rat runs” through these lanes to avoid the congestion, adding further to the unsustainable traffic levelsThis list is not exhaustive.
Do make your own points. If you need further information, visit the Stour Valley Action Group site at www.stourvalleyactiongroup.org.uk.
Letter to Colchester Borough Council
HORKESLEY PARK HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION CENTRE.
COL/09/090231
The Colne-Stour Countryside Association strongly objects to the planning application to create what amounts to a Theme Park and substantial Retail Centre in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
This Association has over 600 members and 23 affiliated councils. Its remit includes safeguarding the countryside against inappropriate development in the upper Stour Valley, extending east as far as Little Horkesley.
In summary the proposal:
• Contravenes planning policy, including both Government Policy Statements and the Colchester Borough Council’s Local Plan.
• Permanently damages the Dedham Vale AONB.
• Has a detrimental effect on local jobs and business.
• Causes serious and unwanted traffic congestion on the A134 and surrounding country lanes.
A key principle of National Planning Policy is to strictly control any new development in open countryside. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are to have the highest status of protection (PPS7para 21). The proposed Theme Park and Retail Centre is clearly a major development for this particular area. It has to be subject to the most rigorous examination, (PPS7 para 22). Colchester Borough Council Planning policy is to protect…. The Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Objective 5.4). The Council’s duty is to protect the Dedham Vale as a “peaceful area” in which [the] villages lie undisturbed by major development and heavily trafficked roads (Para 5.7).
“C02. Development in…. the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be subject to special scrutiny. Where such development could have an adverse impact….on the area, it will be acceptable only where an overriding national need for development in that particular location can be demonstrated.”
There is no such overriding need. The Dedham Vale Management Strategy specifies that the area is for quiet informal recreation, emphasising the need for only quiet informal public access in keeping with maintaining the tranquillity of the valley.
Planning Policy Statements make it clear that protection of AONBs must take precedence over recreation, with the views of the local community given great weight.
Proposals which contravene the principle of “sustainable tourism” must be rejected. This proposal does. If allowed, the AONB will be overwhelmed by tourism (18,000 per week in the summer months!). Local business within the AONB will be seriously affected, as the Retail Statement concedes.
Damage to the Dedham Vale AONB.
The whole site is within or should be considered as if it were within the AONB. Even that part just outside it will have a direct impact on the proposed major development within it; and should therefore under planning law be treated as a single proposal effectively within the AONB.
The Vale is unique, with its spectacular unspoilt farmed landscape, uncongested country lanes and small villages, with their local stores and public houses. As the Council for The Protection of Rural England have established, this area is now one of the very few tranquil areas left in South East England. The Planning Authorities have an obligation to protect it and ensure that it remains as it is, and is not suddenly “swamped” by a theme park, projected to be as large as Woburn Safari Park, with restaurants to seat 787 and a huge, unnecessary, Retail Centre.
Under the proposal the many public footpaths, which currently enable walkers wonderful unrestricted views across the vale, are to be “boxed” in to prevent access to the park without paying. This is not protecting or preserving the AONB!
There is no overriding need for this development. There are already numerous garden centres and farm shops in the vicinity, with regular Farmers Markets being held locally. The local public houses, which need supporting, provide all the meals required. A visit to, for example, Wyevale Garden Centre at Braintree will reveal how extensive this is.
This is in reality an application for a major 46,000 sq ft retail project, using the countryside park as the inducement, and should be treated as such. Seventy-five percent of the overall projected revenue is to come from merchandising, food and drink, with sixty seven percent coming from Merchandise Revenue alone. The Retail Centre is projected to earn £5.65million per year.
The benefits offered to conservation are limited. For example, there are several others in East Anglia who are already involved in breeding and conserving the Suffolk Punch, and many local farm parks in the region supporting rare breeds.
Detrimental effect on local jobs and business.
The proposal is likely to have a marked adverse effect on local employment. Although the restaurants and retail centre will need staff, many will be part time and low paid, coming in from outside the immediate area. The proposal recognises that more jobs will be lost in the local communities than gained, implicitly because of its detrimental effect on local business within the AONB. Government policy makes it clear that the effect on employment and business within the AONB is a vital factor.
Traffic congestion.
With the projected visitor numbers of 485,000 in the first year, peaking at 77,000 per month in the summer (or 18,000 per week), there will be major traffic problems; not just along the A134, where vehicles will be backing up to turn into or exit the site. Many will use other routes. Those coming from the South West will come across country. There will be an inevitable unacceptable overload of cars and lorries using the quiet narrow country lanes, which are required to be protected under the AONB designation. At peak times traffic along the A 134 will be incessant, making it very difficult and dangerous for local drivers to access it from side roads.
The B1068 from Higham to Stoke-by-Nayland and the B1087 from Stoke-by-Nayland to Nayland, both highly scenic and extremely narrow roads, will be choked with traffic. This is likely to be an almost insoluble problem in Nayland where the B1087 slims into a narrow throat before meeting Nayland High St.
Why, one asks, should those living and carrying on business in the AONB and the surrounding area have to suffer this?
The views of those living in the area should be listened to. This is in substance an attempt to obtain planning permission for a merchandising, food and drink centre in an AONB under the umbrella of a heritage and conservation park.
Charles Aldous QC. (Chairman) 9th April 2009.
.
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Fly Tipping - Keep Our Beautiful Countryside Tidy
Fly tipping is a disgusting habit and likely to become an increasing problem in an economic downturn, particularly if Council’s start charging for dumping. Although a boring subject to write about, it is important that our supporters know that we can make a real difference. All three District Councils in our area have Departments which deal with complaints, and will arrange for the removal of refuse dumped on public property and if possible bring offenders to book. Even where it is dumped on private property, and as such is the legal responsibility of the owner to remove, the Council will send out experienced investigators to try and identify those responsible and prosecute. They have designated departments there to help. At Colchester Borough Council, you can contact Shane Taylor on 01206- 282 838. For Braintree DC telephone the call centre on 01376- 552 525 and ask to be put through to “Environment”. Likewise with Babergh DC, call the department responsible on 01473 825 890. So please do what you can to ensure our countryside is kept tidy. A word of caution, anyone using a non-licensed waste carrier who then dumps the waste will themselves be liable to be prosecuted.
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Wind Turbines
The Association fully supports the Government’s aims of reducing carbon emissions through the promotion of renewable energy sources. Wind turbines have a part to play but it is important that we appreciate their limitations.
Modern turbines are over twice the height of electricity pylons and therefore have a huge impact on the UK’s rather small scale landscape. Once built, wind turbines require high voltage power lines to connect them to the grid as well as service roads, greatly increasing their impact on the countryside.
Furthermore wind turbines are not particularly efficient and on average operate at only about 27% of installed capacity. Because the wind only blows intermittently and the demand for electricity is constant, they will all have to be backed up by fossil fuel or nuclear capacity.
Present installed capacity of wind farms in the UK is about 2.5 GW or 3% of the country’s total power capacity. Nuclear power on the other hand supplies approximately 20% of the country’s energy and modern nuclear reactors do not carry the risks associated with the old Chernobyl type reactor. We believe that there will have to be a significant increase in the nuclear programme if the UK is to avoid power shortages.
The Association will only support the building of new wind farms on coastal and other exceptionally windy sites. We will oppose the erection of random wind turbines in the villages of the Colne and Stour valleys as these are likely to provide very little economic benefit at the cost of serious damage to the landscape given that they can only ever supply a small percentage of this country’s energy requirements.
For the above reasons, will any member who hears of an application to erect a wind turbine in our area please contact the Association’s local representative or a member of the Committee so that appropriate action can be taken
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PYLONS
Your Association is implacably opposed to all the proposed routes suggested by National Grid and we contend that the consultation process is seriously flawed as NG has not complied with its statutory obligations under Section 47 of the Planning Act 2008 and the pre consultation guidance which is designed to ensure that all reasonably feasible options have been fairly put to the Local Authorities so that they can decide which should go out for community consultation. NG would have us believe that there are only four options whereas there are other alternatives that have not been given a hearing. (Undersea and Underground)
If you have not already done so, we urgently need you to write to The National Grid at the address given below, as well as to your County and District Councillor and MP, incorporating some or all of the bullet points listed below, together with you own objections. Individual letters count. Please write your letter in your own words.
• NG has not given the Local Authorities the chance to assess any alternatives other than the four proposed routes.
• NG has not consulted on an undersea cable to the Thames.
• NG has not consulted on a more direct underground tunnel route.
• NG have not have not considered the true lifetime costs of the above alternatives (including environmental and social benefits).They have merely dismissed them on short term expense grounds.
• NG has not shown that once the existing line is upgraded, the urgency to deliver more electricity to the Twinstead interchange, by alternative means, is delayed.
• NG has not disclosed that, even if another line were built, this would be insufficient to take the electricity to be generated by another Nuclear Reactor at Sizewell, together with electricity from an anticipated further round of Wind Farms. (Are they going to suggest yet another line of pylons?)
• NG has not taken into account the Special Landscape importance of the upper Stour Valley towards Twinstead, exemplified by the decision to apply for an extension of the Dedham Vale AONB up as far as Sudbury.