Plans for windfarm off coast of Suffolk take step forward
The council has now taken a 'neutral' stance to the proposals
Plans for two new windfarms off the coast of East Suffolk have taken a step forward.
The plans, which were first submitted in 2019, would see two offshore developments and 9km of export cables running underground between Thorpeness and Friston.
Developer, ScottishPower Renewables has addressed concerns raised by East Suffolk Council and agreed to more compensation for the works.
East Suffolk Council’s Cabinet, at its meeting in January 2020, resolved that whilst maintaining overall support for the principle of offshore wind as a significant contributor to the reduction in carbon emissions, and for the economic opportunities it may bring to the locality, that it would raise an objection to specific aspects of the proposals which have significant impacts onshore.
Cllr Craig Rivett, East Suffolk Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development said:
“There are still areas of disagreement with regards to operational noise at the substations site and the cumulative impacts of future energy development which have not yet been satisfactorily addressed. We would also like to see further commitments in relation to the design of the substations and will continue to work with the Applicants to reduce the impacts of the projects.
“However, we do of course continue to support the principle of offshore wind and we are pleased that SPR have responded to our request for additional compensation and mitigation in relation to the onshore cables. This is a positive sign and means that we can move our overall position towards ‘neutral’ on both proposals.”