Burstall
Parish Council
Parish Council
Parish Council
22nd April 2024
As you may know, National Grid launched their statutory consultation on 10th April 2024 - rejecting James’s request to pause while communities consider the findings of the ESO review into the alternatives to pylons.
In response, and to allow his constituents an opportunity to engage with the options reviewed by ESO, James will be hosting a public meeting this Friday 26th April at 7pm in Hintlesham and Chattisham Community Centre, IP8 3PS.
He looks forward to seeing you at the meeting.
11th April 2024
Section 42 Planning Act 2008 (as amended): Duty to consult on a proposed application.
The Infrastructure Planning (Applications and Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 (as amended) (the “APFP Regulations”)
Notification under Regulation 13 of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (as amended) (the “EIA Regulations”)
National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (“National Grid”) writes in relation to the launch of a statutory consultation in accordance with sections 42, 44, 47 and 48 of the Planning Act 2008 (the “Act”) for the project called Norwich to Tilbury (“the Project”). The consultation starts at 12:00 noon onWednesday 10 April 2024 and runs until 11:59pm on Tuesday 18 June 2024.
The Project is a proposal by National Grid to upgrade the electricity transmission system in East Anglia between Norwich and Tilbury. The Project includes a new 400 kilovolt (“kV”) electricity transmission connection of approximately 184 kilometres ("km”) in overall length from Norwich Main Substation and Tilbury Substation via Bramford Substation, comprising:
An alternative design at the Waveney Valley (referred to as the Waveney Valley Alternative) is also being considered and is the subject of consultation and ongoing assessment. This design alternative, if taken forward, would result in changes those elements of the Project set out below. This would instead comprise:
All other works not listed above would be consistent with either alternative.
In other words, the Waveney Valley Alternative, if taken forward and based on the 2024 preferred draft alignment would comprise approximately 2 km less new 400 kV overhead line and approximately an additional 2 km of 400kV underground cabling and two additional new CSE compounds, each with a permanent access, to connect the overhead lines to the underground cables.
Third party utilities diversions and / or modifications would also be required to facilitate the construction of the Project. There would also be land required for mitigation, compensation and enhancement of the environment including Biodiversity Net Gain.
As well as the permanent infrastructure, land would also be required temporarily for construction activities including, for example, working areas for construction equipment and machinery, site offices, welfare, storage and temporary construction access.
Norwich to Tilbury will play a vital role in delivering electricity efficiently, reliably, and safely and will support the UK’s move to reduce carbon emissions and we are committed to working with local communities as we develop our plans.
National Grid expects the Project to be classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (“NSIP”) and to require consent from the Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero via a Development Consent Order (“DCO”). The development consent being sought will include a number of other provisions, including those which authorise the compulsory acquisition of land and rights over land, if necessary, to construct and maintain the Project.
Statutory consultation
The Project is an Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) development, as defined by the EIA Regulations. As part of the consultation, we are seeking views on the potential environmental effects of the proposals and if consultees have suggestions for reducing these effects (for example, through mitigation measures). This information is detailed in the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (“PEIR”). An Environmental Statement will be prepared subsequently in accordance with the EIA Regulations and will accompany the application for development consent.
The Project is currently in the pre-application stage of the DCO application process. As such, the Project is consulting on its proposals between 12:00 noon on Wednesday 10 April and 11:59pm on Tuesday 18 June 2024, including with those consultees prescribed under Section 42 of the Act.
Consultation Documents
We are contacting you because you are a prescribed consultee under Section 42(1) of the Act and in accordance with Schedule 1 of the APFP Regulations. This is therefore a formal notice that we are holding a statutory consultation under the Act.
The Project is an “EIA development” for the purposes of the EIA Regulations. As required by Regulation 13 of the EIA Regulations, we also attach a copy of the newspaper notice which is being published in accordance with Section 48 of the Act.
National Grid (as required by the Act) has prepared a Statement of Community Consultation (“SoCC”) which sets out how National Grid will undertake the statutory consultation for the proposed application with those people living and working in the vicinity of the Project. The SoCC is available to view on the Project website: http://www.nationalgrid.com/n-t and at the inspection points listed further down in this email.
A copy of the full suite of consultation documents is available to view on the Project website from 12:00 noon on Wednesday 10 April 2024 until 11:59pm on Tuesday 18 June 2024.
These include:
• Project Background Document
• Feedback questionnaire
• Copy of the newspaper notice published under Section 48 of the Act (as the Project is ‘EIA Development’ for the purposes of the EIA Regulations and as required by Regulation 4 of the APFP Regulations)
• Preliminary Environmental Information Report (“PEIR”) and non-technical summary (“NTS”) of the PEIR
• Project maps/Project area maps showing the extent of the Project
• Statement of Community Consultation (“SoCC”).
Copies of consultation materials and documents can be provided on request by contacting us either by email at contact@n-t.nationalgrid.com or by telephone on 0800 915 2497.
Public information events
During the consultation period a series of face-to-face public information events will be held where you can speak with the Project team.
You can attend any of our events to meet the Project team, ask questions and view more details of the Project:
|
Date and time |
Venue |
|
Wednesday 24 April 2024 12pm-5pm |
Towngate Theatre, St Martin’s Square, Basildon, Essex |
|
Thursday 25 April 2024 2pm-7pm |
The Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, CM15 9NN |
|
Saturday 27 April 2024 11am-4pm |
Chelmsford City Racecourse, Chelmsford, CM3 1QP |
|
Tuesday 30 April 2024 12pm-5pm |
Gislingham Village Hall, Mill Street, Gislingham, IP23 8JT |
|
Wednesday 1 May 2024 11am-4pm |
Copdock Village Hall, Old London Road, Copdock, IP8 3JN |
|
Friday 3 May 2024 1pm-6pm |
Needham Market Community Centre, School St, Needham Market, Ipswich IP6 8BB |
|
Saturday 4 May 2024 11am-4pm |
Lawford Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford, Manningtree CO11 2JE |
|
Wednesday 8 May 2pm-7pm |
The Civic Hall, Blackshots Lane, Grays, RM16 2JU |
|
Thursday 9 May 2024 1pm-6pm |
Thorpe Hall, Ashwell Thorpe and Fundenhall Community Centre, Muskett Road, Ashwellthorpe, NR16 1FD |
|
Friday 10 May 2024 1pm-6pm |
Tibenham Community Hall, Pristow Green Lane, Tibenham, Norwich NR16 1PX |
|
Tuesday 14 May 2024 11am-4pm |
Witham Public Hall, Collingwood Road, Witham, CM8 2DY |
|
Wednesday 15 May 2024 1pm-6pm |
Diss Town Football Club, Diss, IP22 4QP |
|
Thursday 16 May 2024 2pm-7pm |
Langham Community Centre, School Road, Langham, Colchester, CO4 5PA |
|
Friday 17 May 2024 1pm-6pm |
Great Bromley Village Hall, Parsons Hill, Great Bromley, Colchester, CO7 7JA |
Printed copies of the consultation materials will be made available at information events for attendees to review. Attendees will also be able to take away copies of the Project Background Document and Feedback questionnaire.
In addition to being available online, the Community Newsletter, Project Background Document, non-technical summary (“NTS”) of the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (“PEIR”), Statement of Community Consultation (“SoCC”) and Feedback questionnaire will be available to view free of charge at the following inspection points in the vicinity of the project throughout the consultation period:
|
Location |
Address |
Opening hours |
|
Long Stratton Library |
The Street Long Stratton NR15 2XJ |
Monday - 11am-7pm
|
|
Norwich Library |
Unit 3 The Forum Millenium Plain Norwich NR2 1AW |
Monday - Friday - 10am-7pm
|
|
Tuckswood Library |
Robin Hood Road Eaton NR4 6BX |
Monday - 8am – 7pm (unstaffed) Thursday - 8am-7pm (unstaffed) |
|
Diss Library |
Church Street Diss IP22 4DD |
Monday - 10am-7pm |
|
Stowmarket Library |
Milton Road Stowmarket IP14 1EX |
Monday - Closed |
|
Capel St Mary Library |
Village Hall The Street Capel St Mary IP9 2EF |
Monday - Closed |
|
Coggeshall Library |
The Friends Meeting House Stoneham Street Coggeshall CO6 1UH |
Monday - Closed |
|
Chelmsford Library |
Market Road Chelmsford CM1 1QH |
Monday - 9am-5.30pm |
|
Colchester Library |
Trinity Square Colchester CO1 1JB |
Monday - 9am-5.30pm |
|
Tilbury Library |
Civic Square Tilbury RM18 8AD |
Monday - 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm |
|
Greenstead Library |
Hawthorn Avenue Colchester CO4 3QE |
Monday - 9am-5.30pm |
|
Stanway Library |
10 Villa Road Stanway CO3 0RH |
Monday - Closed |
|
Prettygate Library |
Prettygate Road Colchester CO3 4EQ |
Monday - Closed |
|
Wivenhoe Library |
104/6 High Street Wivenhoe CO7 9AB |
Monday - Closed |
Prior to attending these locations, it is advised opening times are checked.
In addition to the public information events, we will be holding six webinars, where members of the Project team will be available to answer questions. The dates and times of these sessions are as follows:
|
Date and time |
Webinar |
|
Wednesday 17 April 6pm-7pm |
Project Overview One* |
|
Wednesday 29 May 6pm-7pm |
Section A and B - South Norfolk and Mid Suffolk |
|
Thursday 30 May 6pm-7pm |
Section C and D -Babergh, Tendring and Colchester
|
|
Wednesday 5 June 6pm-7pm |
Section E and F – Braintree and Chelmsford |
|
Thursday 6 June 6pm-7pm |
Section G and H – Basildon, Brentwood and Thurrock |
|
Wednesday 12 June 6pm-7pm |
Project Overview Two |
* A British Sign Language interpreter will be available.
You can register for a webinar by signing up on our Project website: http://www.nationalgrid.com/n-t. Responding to the Consultation
Responses to this consultation must be received between 12:00 noon on Wednesday 10 April 2024 and 11:59pm on Tuesday 18 June 2024.
Responses to this consultation can be submitted online at http://www.nationalgrid.com/n-t
Alternatively, you can return a printed copy of the Feedback questionnaire or a free text response via email: contact@n-t.nationalgrid.com or post: FREEPOST N TO T (please write this in capitals, you do not need a stamp).
Requests for paper copies of the technical documents will be reviewed on a case by-case basis. To cover printing costs a reasonable copying charge may apply, to be paid for by the recipient and up-to a maximum value of £500 for the whole suite of consultation documents. Please get in touch with us using the details below if you would like a printed or alternative format copy of materials.
Telephone: 0800 915 2497.
Email: contact@n-t.nationalgrid.com
Following the close of the consultation all feedback will be collated, reviewed and analysed to understand key themes and concerns. Our proposals will be reviewed and, where practicable, refined in light of feedback.
We may be required to make copies of representations available to the Secretary of State. However, we will request that personal details are not placed on the public record. Personal details will be held securely in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation and will be used solely in connection with the consultation process and the development of this Project and, except as noted above, will not be disclosed to any third parties. National Grid’s privacy policy can be found on its website: https://www.nationalgrid.com/privacy-policy.
If you have any questions about the Project, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the above postal or email address.
11th April 2024
19th December 2023
The babergh-refuse-and-recycling-collection-schedule-2024-1 can be viewed on the Babergh District website. Residents who have requested a paper copy will have been sent one.
Please find some useful links to get you started:
Mid Suffolk Twitter and Facebook
11th September 2023
TAX PAYERS ORDERED TO PAY DEVELOPER’S BILLS AFTER MIDSUFFOLK ERRORS
Taxpayers are left paying substantial costs incurred by a developer after Mid Suffolk Council refused to defend an application at appeal.
In February 2023 the Mid Suffolk Planning Committee refused an application by Bramford Green Ltd for a solar farm on farmland near Bramford in a Special Landscape Area.
The application was appealed by the developer at the national Planning Inspectorate hearing in August 2023. Mid Suffolk Council declined to defend its position. It was left to residents, Parish Councillors, and two District Councillors to put forward evidence against the flaws and omissions of the development.
Overturning the Mid Suffolk decision, the Government Inspector criticised Mid Suffolk Council. He stated that the original reasons for refusal were "reasonable and reflect common practice in wording and content" but the "rationale for the change in the Council's stance is questionable." He subsequently ordered Mid Suffolk Council to pay all of the developers’ costs for the appeal. With a full legal team and eight expert witnesses, this will be a hefty bill for taxpayers to pick up, running into tens of thousands.
This is the latest in a series of disputes with residents and local Parish Councils on the application. Following the elections when Mid Suffolk became the UK's first Green Party majority council, newly elected Councillors were persuaded by officials not to defend the original planning committee’s refusal which went against planning officers’ recommendations. Although Planning meetings are usually open the public and press, everyone was ordered out of the room and the live stream was cut.
In March, four Parish Councils and Care Suffolk, a residents organisation, wrote to Chief Executive Arthur Charvonia expressing ‘no confidence’ in the Planning Department and calling for an independent investigation into its performance, but no action was taken.Residents and Parish Councils have consistently condemned inaccurate information and apparent bias of planning officers, and a formal complaint is currently open with the Local Government and Social Ombudsman.
“The Planning department is not fit for purpose” said Burstall Parish Council Chair Barry Gaspar. “This latest debacle proves our point. Despite clear warning from us, because no action was taken, taxpayers will now pay a heavy price. To make matters worse, officers are now using the same arguments and making the same mistakes in relation to other solar farm applications in our area. Mid Suffolk seems to be happy to turn rural areas into industrial zones"
11th August 2023
RESIDENTS ACCUSE MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCIL OF BIAS ON SOLAR FARM INQUIRY
Mid Suffolk District Council has abandoned its own local development plan by failing to defend its refusal of a proposed solar installation at an Inquiry to be held by the National Planning Inspectorate. The Inquiry will take place at Pinewood Community Hall from 15th to 17th August 2023 and follows Mid Suffolk’s refusal of the proposal earlier this year on the grounds that it contravened the Local Development Plan and was putting energy infrastructure on land needed for food production. The proposed development was also opposed by nine Parish Councils.
The ENSO proposal would build on 85 acres of prime agricultural land in a beautiful landscape area between Burstall and Flowton.
The decision not to defend or explain its refusal before Inspector Mr Cullum Parker is further evidence of bias in favour of developers.
In February 2023, Councillors voted to refuse the application stating that the Council would defend any appeal put forward by the developer. This created a legitimate expectation amongst the public that they would do so. However, in a planning meeting led by officers at which the public was excluded, that position was overruled.
“Residents continue to inform me that they have lost faith in the impartiality of our planning officers”, said Care Suffolk coordinator, Samantha Main. “They wonder what the point is of the new Joint Local Plan being prepared if officers won't even defend their existing Plan. The purpose of the enquiry is to listen to all the arguments between the developer and the public to assist the Inspector to make an informed decision. As taxpayers, we have a right to expect Mid Suffolk to be publicly accountable”.
“We believe that Planning department officials are acting unprofessionally” said Burstall Parish Council Chair, Barry Gasper “the District Council has abandoned residents. We are now left having to defend the policies of the Councils ourselves. It is not a very subtle way by officers to signal they support the ENSO scheme”.
This week the National Farmers Union warned that more priority for national food production was needed, as the UK’s own food self-sufficiency had fallen from 78% to 61%. “Mid Suffolk selectively applies evidence and ignores whatever does not support developers’ plans” said Cllr Gasper “Quality farmland is needed for food, that is a clear Government directive conveniently ignored”.
Burstall Parish Council and the community organisation Care Suffolk, together with Hintlesham & Chattisham and Sproughton Parish Councils have written to the Mid Suffolk District Council Chief Executive Arthur Charvonia, saying they have lost confidence in the Planning Department.
Submitted by Burstall Parish Council and Care Suffolk
SPROUGHTON BURIAL GROUND
Did you know that there is a legal agreement between Sproughton Parish Council and Burstall Parish Council that allows for Burstall residents to be buried at Sproughton Burial Ground at rates charged as the same for Sproughton parishioners.
From 1 April 1969, a legal agreement was signed between the two councils granting Burstall parishioners the right to have interred in Sproughton burial ground the bodies of persons who would be entitled to be buried in any place of burial provided by Burstall Parish Council.
The right of interment includes the rights to purchase/be granted exclusive rights of burial and the right to erect a memorial stone; the same rights as Sproughton residents and at the same costs. The terms and conditions offered to the parishioners of Sproughton are offered to the parishioners of Burstall.
The original fee paid by Burstall Parish Council to Sproughton Parish Council was £1 per annum, this was increased during the 1990's to £24 and this year, we have received notification from Sproughton Parish Council of their intention to raise this fee to £200 as from April 2022. Burstall Parish Council agreed to accept this increase at the meeting held May 2021.
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