Friston suffering 'disproportionate harm' councillors say

Councillor Matthew Hicks said villagers in Friston were 'experiencing disproportionate harm' from proposals to build a substation on a 30 acre site there as the council approved a series of measures to try and address concerns about the impact of energy schemes on the county.

Earlier on Thursday, protestors, including representatives of action group Suffolk Energy Action Solutions (SEAS), had gathered outside the council's Endeavour House HQ in Ipswich to voice their opposition to the new developments, linked to wind farms off the coast.

READ MORE: Protestors opposed to National Grid infrastructure in Suffolk

The council has approved a motion to tackle energy schemes (Image: Charlotte Bond)Cllr Hicks said: "We do talk a lot about the village of Friston and we know that you are experiencing disproportionate harm and we recognise the impact that is having on your community."

He was also critical of plans to route 50 metre high pylons along 110 miles of the Suffolk and Essex border, which are also part of energy firm National Grid's plans to bring energy onshore.

"Pylons are unacceptable and the behaviour of developers is certainly unacceptable and they are failing to develop a coordinated approach," Cllr Hicks added.

READ MORE: Campaigners seek judicial review of 'harmful' Suffolk substation plans

The motion approved by the council called for a coordinated offshore approach by developers, while equipment onshore should be buried underground as much as possible to minimise the impact on communities, landscapes, ecology, business and tourism. 

The protestors would like to see an offshore grid created (Image: Charlotte Bond)In addition, the council registered the 'grave concern' it had for the 'disproportionate harm' to Friston, which was not made clear when consent was given for the development of the East Anglia ONE and TWO wind farms.

Elsewhere the motion, proposed by Cllr Richard Rout, cabinet member for finance and environment, talked of leveraging the economic opportunities from the new Sizewell C nuclear power station and supported the use of Small Nuclear Modular Reactors (SNMR).

READ MORE: Suffolk news

These SNMRs are smaller versions of nuclear plants with a maximum electricity output of 300 megawatts.

Preferred sites for solar panels were also discussed, while the motion also called for the impact of developments on the tourist industry to be considered.

However, following the meeting, Fiona Gilmore, founder of SEAS, said: "Suffolk County Council should have been beating the drum four years ago. 

"They have been ineffectual in terms of the big profound issues here and they have not helped us enough. 

"The seismic shift that will engulf Suffolk Coast and Heaths as it turns into a heavy industrial zone decimating tourism is a catastrophe. 

READ MORE: Saxmundham news

"The mental health issues are just emerging. There are local Friston and now Saxmundham locals who are sick and ill with worry. 

"Let us all have on our conscience that we did not fight enough for what is precious. There is nothing to be proud of here. No legacy. 

"Except needless destruction.

"We will fight on. Because the offshore solutions are viable. It just needs the will of Government to take control and pivot to the modern solutions.

"It may be for a new Government."

Earlier this week, a spokesperson for National Grid said: “There is no fully offshore solution to connect offshore wind to the grid in any country.

"The power has to be brought onshore and connected to the grid. Our job is to carefully consider the most feasible options and present proposals for public consultation, which go as far as possible to address impacts on local communities, the environment and deliver for electricity consumers.

"The existing electricity grid was built in the 1960s and because it wasn't designed to transport renewable energy from different sources, or meet the forecast doubling in demand because of decarbonisation, it must be upgraded.

“Sea Link and the other projects that form The Great Grid Upgrade will play a big part in the UK government’s plan to boost homegrown power.

"It will help the UK switch to clean energy and make sure our electricity network is fit for the future; carrying more clean, secure energy from where it is generated to where it is needed, lowering energy bills and helping to reach net zero.”