'Disappointing and frustrating': campaigners react to new windfarms approved off Suffolk coast
The East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two developments have been given the go ahead
Last updated 2nd Apr 2022
Campaigners have reacted with anger after the government gave the go ahead for two new wind farms off the Suffolk coast.
East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two will be built around 25 miles into the North Sea, off the coasts of Southwold and Lowestoft.
Consisting over over 140 turbines in total, each wind farm will supply at least 800MW to the national grid.
However, the proposals include plans for an on-shore substation at Friston near Saxmundham. The cables will come ashore at Thorpeness.
The Planning Inspectorate has been looking at the plans for the past several months. and has now granted development consent.
The developments are just the latest part of the East Anglia Array, a group of windfarms that could eventually consist of 1200 turbines.
Campaign group Substation Action Save East Suffolk has called the decision 'disappointing and frustrating' and has called the projects 'deeply flawed'.
In a statement, they said: "It is clear (the government) accepts that these projects cause unacceptable and unnecessary environmental damage onshore having set up the ‘Offshore Transmission Network Review’ to find better solutions."
"However despite the Review’s terms of reference (the government) has cravenly accepted Scottish Power’s and National Grid’s refusal to engage in the Review in respect of these projects.
"Over the years SASES has vigorously challenged these projects employing a specialist planning barrister and industry leading experts who pointed out in unequivocal terms the manifold serious defects.
"Whilst this challenge led to a number of significant improvements on environmental impact in terms of construction, design, landscape mitigation, flood impacts and noise, those improvements do not adequately mitigate the severe environmental damage.
"Further the defective approach to site selection by National Grid and Scottish Power remains as does their failure to admit let alone address that Friston could become the connection hub for at least five other offshore projects."
Activists say they're now considering whether to ask for a judicial review to prevent the plans going ahead.
After approving both windfarm projects, The Planning Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Sarah Richards said:
“The Planning Inspectorate has examined more than 100 nationally significant infrastructure projects since the Planning Act 2008 process was introduced, ensuring local communities have had the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them.
These Examinations took place during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions, and the Examining Authority worked hard to ensure that local people, the local authority and other Interested Parties were able to fully participate.
The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to local views and the evidence gathered during the examination before making their recommendations.”
Councillor Craig Rivett, Deputy Leader of East Suffolk Council, said:
“East Suffolk Council will study the details of the decision itself and will now work with the developer, and with the affected communities to ensure that the projects are delivered in accordance with the Development Consent Orders and that the required mitigation and compensation measures are provided and implemented, in a timely manner.”