Pylons, substations, convertor stations, solar power plants, battery storage and more. Norfolk is already a hot spot for energy projects and last week I learned from BBC Radio Norfolk about another one – a proposal for a major onshore windfarm stretching from the Wash to near Downham Market.
Local communities already feel they are having significant development imposed on them and now more is proposed but what is striking is the lack of co-ordination over projects. These latest plans could lead to up to 40 wind turbines being sited on flat fenland. Potentially they could be 80 metres or so in height – taller than the grain store which marks the skyline at the Port of King’s Lynn.
Of course, we need energy generation and a balanced energy mix which renewables are an important part of. When I advised the then Energy Minister, decisions taken led to the UK becoming a world leader in offshore wind, for example. New nuclear power was also approved. However, local community views also matter in determining where projects should be located. Many people in Norfolk already feel they are having major development imposed on them and their views should be properly listened to.
Last Tuesday, I was at West Walton Parish Council talking about National Grid’s plans for pylons from Grimsby to Walpole and the Eastern Green link projects bringing power offshore down from Scotland and then onshore to Walpole.
It is fair to say local people with concerns have little faith in the planning system stopping these proposals – little surprise when the government has adopted an aggressive policy to support such projects in order to meet their 2030 target to decarbonise the grid.
But there are many issues which planning inquiries can influence – not least traffic and construction matters during the build of any project. Understandably people are concerned that the poor state of local roads cannot withstand hundreds of daily HGV movements and have little faith they will be restored in the Walpoles.
Those worries are shared by people in Castle Acre, facing two major solar power plants being approved in the area. I have spoken against these plans and raised many issues at the planning inquiry considering those proposals.
In terms of the onshore wind proposal - this project is at an early stage and half of the 40 turbines are apparently intended to be in North West Norfolk. It raises many questions, including about the visual impact of turbines, the effect on the Wash as a highly protected site, and any potential implications for RAF Marham and low-level flight training.
I was surprised to learn about these plans from the media and welcomed the opportunity to speak to Radio Norfolk on Friday about them. There is some way to go before these plans actually become a planning application so it is important the developer properly engages with elected representatives and local communities on its proposals now.
I will be listening to views of my constituents and if this proposal proceeds to an application, the formal planning process will then have to consider issues local people raise.
