Extensive Traffic and Transport Impact (Serious Noise and Vibration)
The proposed Solar Power Stations will create extreme transport impacts on our very narrow country lanes (with limited passing places/blind bends). Not only could this be dangerous to road users (particularly Easton harrier hounds, horse riders, cyclists, walkers/joggers), it will also cause significant disruption to local communities. Some of these lanes (arguably the prettiest in Suffolk!) meander right past houses and cottages (many listed). Not only within Letheringham village, but right through to the villages of Easton, Hacheston and Parham. This is because a significant underground cable will need to be installed to take the energy from the sites to the sub-station at Parham (see page 13 of QC proposal for Cable route map).
The 132KV cable is expected to go from either the Sandy Lane end of Footpath 2, or from the Pitt (both single track lanes), to the sub-station opposite Garnetts, Parham. This is a distance of approximately 6KM. The cable route runs through the Conservation area of Easton (by the Crinkle Crankle wall), and then to the Framlingham road, via the designated "Quiet Lane". This lane is single track and is approximately 1.5KM long. The duration of any road closures is currently unknown.
Residents and visitors (inc. tourists) will be detrimentally impacted by noise pollution, and vibration, caused by industrial grade construction traffic. This includes heavy duty lifting equipment/cranes, cement trucks, HGVs, hydraulic breakers etc. Concerns have been raised about the four traffic-calming sections of Easton, which are single vehicle only; this could further exacerbate traffic congestion throughout the main street. We have been told [by QC, Public Event, 22/04/25], that there will be "ten articulated lorries, per day for the first three months". QC went onto state that effort will be made to ensure any disruption is caused during normal office hours (the implication being that our residents are away at work 9am – 5pm). Such a statement shows no understanding of the demographics in our villages, our holidaymakers, or for the fact that many people work at home. Furthermore, it is now understood that works will also be undertaken on Saturdays.
Concerns have also been raised about the Easton primary school 20mph safety zone, which at school pick up/drop off becomes a hazardous, congested, single passing only stretch. The safety of our children walking along such roads, has also been raised in the context of toddlers walking to the nursery school at Easton Farm Park, as well as the regular school/class outings from the Primary school to the Church, Farm Park etc.
The construction phase is estimated to take around a year, probably more. It will entail the delivery of an estimated 400,000 solar panels (QC to confirm), mounting infrastructure, numerous containerised units (shipping type containers, 3m high x 15) to house Batteries, a number of Inverter cabins (3m high x 9), Distribution Network Operator (DNO) substation (3m high) containing: DNO meter point, customer substation and system. Additionally: boundary fencing (approx 2m high), CCTV systems, semi permeable materials for the access tracks, security signage, communications and weather monitoring equipment. There will also be a significant amount of electricity and communication cables, foot boxes, etc, installed along the cable route from Letheringham to Parham. It is currently unclear if there will be disruption to residents' driveways along the cable route.
Finally….moving onto the site entrance and the construction/set-down area or “messing”! The location of the site entrance is currently unknown. However, what is known is that an industrial scale type entrance, complete with visual splays, and sizeable hard-standing areas will be required (square meterage of concrete area unknown). But this area has to be large enough to accommodate HGVs (they are not allowed to stand/wait on the public highways), concrete trucks, lifting equipment, workers’ vehicles, welfare areas (toilets, on-site office), etc. In addition to parking arrangements for workers' vehicles, concerns have been raised about changing, drying and canteen facilities. Further concerns have been raised about associated rubbish, e.g. plastics left in the ground during construction making their way into the food chain, wildlife and waterways. Not to mention a degradation of air quality caused by a significant traffic increase and dust creating construction activities.
