Extensive Traffic and Transport Impact (Serious Noise and Vibration)
The Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP), as part of the Planning application, makes for alarming reading; mounting concerns are being voiced in relation to the volume of Construction traffic through our Deben Valley villages (there is already concern regarding Sizewell/Westerfield Quarry). Traffic will enter through our villages from either the A12 or A14; we are all aware of the "pinch" points on these routes. Safety issues have been raised in relation to Charsfield Primary School, as well as Wickham Market becoming even more burdened with Industry traffic. It is difficult to imagine 16.5 metre long articulated HGVs undertaking 14 (two-way movements) per day, on our very narrow country lanes (with limited passing places/blind bends). There is concern about the lack of suitability of our existing highways infrastructure to cope with both the volume and weight of this construction traffic.
There is a view that both Sandy Lane (Hoo), and Park Road (Letheringham) are wholly unsuitable as access routes, let alone site entrances! Many do not agree that these "....roads are likely to be free flowing at all times of the day" [CTMP, page 4]. This is certainly not the case with the existing businesses of Sandy Lane Dog Kennels and a Campsite being at the end of the lane.
It is naturally assumed that traffic will also travel "between" the Easton and Letheringham sites, which will obviously further impact Hoo and Kettleburgh. It is noted that there will be a total of 30 car parking/minibus spaces, four welfare cabins, office cabin and compounds to house storage and plant equipment.
The proposed Solar Power Stations will create extreme transport impacts. Not only could this be dangerous to road and footpath users (e.g. 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 (as well as villages mentioned above), 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.
The 132KV cable is expected to go from the Pitt, Letheringham Street (narrow single track lane), 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 would further exacerbate traffic congestion throughout the main street. QC stated [Public Event, 22/04/25], 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 thousands of solar panels, 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 site entrances and construction/set-down areas. These (Sandy Lane, Hoo and Park Road, Letheringham) will be on an industrial scale, complete with visual splays, and sizeable hard-standing areas. Both entrances will be large enough to accommodate turning HGVs, concrete trucks, lifting equipment, workers’ vehicles/minibuses (30 parking spaces), four welfare cabins containing male and female WCs and sinks, staff office cabin and areas large enough for the storage of plant and equipment. It is not clear whether further facilities will include changing, drying and canteen facilities. 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.
