July Newsletter

Update

As some time has passed since the end of the National Grid consultation process for the proposed 400kV overhead power line from Bramford to Twinstead, the GPA wanted to provide an update on its campaign to its many supporters in the 19 member towns and villages of the GPA and beyond.

GPA actions

At the end of the consultation process in February the GPA submitted to National Grid:-

• the GPA’s formal Consultation Response detailing its objections

• the GPA’s Landscape Report prepared by its landscape consultants, LDA Design, providing a professional review of the valued landscapes of south Suffolk and a detailed explanation of the blight that would be created by new power lines where none currently exist

• detailed representations from each of the GPA’s 19 parish councils explaining the significant adverse affect that new power lines and pylons would have on each of these communities

• copies of more than 850 letters of objection from the residents of south Suffolk

The GPA remains vigilant and determined and continues to closely monitor the National Grid process. In particular, in June the GPA:-

• National Grid meeting: held a 4^th GPA/National Grid meeting to raise the GPA’s ongoing concerns directly with the National Grid Bramford to Twinstead project team

• IPC meeting: attended a meeting called by the Infrastructure Planning Commission, together with National Grid, district and county council representatives and other campaign groups

• National Grid exhibitions: attended National Grid’s public and parish council exhibitions on undergrounding and HVDC technology

• planning process: continued to monitor the changing regulatory environment and its affect on the planning process National Grid will have to follow as a result of the change of government

• undergrounding legislation: continued to lobby our local politicians and local MP urging our elected representatives to push for a change in legislation to ensure that alternative technical options such as undergrounding and HVDC become compulsory in all but the most exceptional circumstances to protect the countryside of the United Kingdom for future generations and so that communities do not in future find themselves presented with a limited and outdated set of options

• legal review: liaised with the GPA’s lawyers, Macfarlanes

• GPA finances: received further donations and maintained surplus funds to enable the GPA to continue to engage its legal and other advisers for the long term, if require

National Grid’s position

National Grid confirmed to the GPA at their recent meeting, and subsequently in writing on 25^th June, 2010, that:-

National Grid announcement: the preferred route corridor is likely to be announced sometime in September 2010, unless (i) a material, but currently unknown, issue potentially affecting National Grid's decision on a preferred route arises between now and September or (ii) the IPC determines that National Grid must adopt a different timetable or procedure, although the IPC has to date given no indication that this is likely

• no change to the four options: National Grid has no intention of changing the four options on which it is consulting. Specifically, National Grid has now confirmed that, notwithstanding the recent publication of information on undergrounding, they “will not be proposing any alternative underground or undersea route”

The GPA has urged National Grid to provide a formal update to the public and all interested parties as soon as possible to ensure that people are fully informed as to National Grid’s position.

Conservation society

As the GPA has previously indicated, it is the GPA’s firm intention to form a new conservation society out of the GPA. Therefore, in the last few months it has been developing and progressing its plans to become a permanent conservation society. This society will:-

·         aim to protect the valued landscapes and environment of south Suffolk for future generations

·         seek to extend and improve the protected status of the area

·         work with other local groups and societies sharing the GPA’s aims

·         have an initial targeted membership of 1,000 members by end of 2011

·         have a new name – suggestions welcome!

Further details on this initiative will be circulated in the autumn of 2010.

What can you do?

JOIN OUR CONSERVATION SOCIETY: Let the GPA know if you would be interested in learning more about its conservation society or joining it by contacting the GPA at contact@grotonpylonalliance.co.uk

Next steps

The GPA will keep you updated via further newsletters and/or its website.

Notes: The GPA is a conservation group formally representing the interests of 19 villages in south Suffolk in relation to National Grid’s proposed infrastructure project for a new 400kV overhead power line from Bramford near Ipswich to Twinstead near Sudbury. The GPA includes the villages of Groton, Kersey, Boxford, Edwardstone, Aldham, Milden, Chelsworth, Whatfield, Semer, Lindsey, Little Waldingfield, Elmsett, Nedging-with-Naughton, Monks Eleigh, Great Waldingfield, Bildeston, Lavenham, Flowton and Brent Eleigh.

www.grotonpylonalliance.co.uk                                              1st July 2010