June 14, 2012
England

Meetings to oppose cable route

Skegness Standard, www.skegnessstandard.co.uk 14 June 2012

Two public meetings have been planned to discuss the ‘clear and present danger’ posed by potential underground cabling through the rural heart of East Lindsey.

Councillors objecting to RWE npower renewables’ proposals have invited potentially affected residents in Willoughby, Irby, Bratoft and the surrounding area to attend the meetings and learn more about the possible problems posed by the scheme.

Coun Colin Davie, who will be hosting the first meeting with Coun Angie Smith at Willoughby Village Hall on Saturday from 10.30am, said: “These proposals represent a clear and present danger to local residents’ quality of life and must be opposed.”

The cabling route has been suggested by RWE as a means to connect its Triton Knoll offshore wind farm with a substation at Bicker Fen.

Opponents fear the 60 kilometre route from Ingoldmells through the East Lindsey countryside could cause disruption to transport and wildlife and even health risks to nearby residents.

They believe the energy firm would cause least upheaval if it carried out the majority of cabling on the sea-bed, coming ashore only at the southern most point closest to the substation.

Coun Neil Cooper, who is hosting the second meeting at Irby and Bratoft Village Hall on Wednesday, June 27, from 7.30pm, fears the alternative route will prevent landowners from developing on vast tracts of valuable land, while upsetting the region’s rich biodiversity.

He said: “If they dig through every road, hedge and field, the disruption to this area could be immense.

“We’ve got an opportunity here to protect Lincolnshire’s rural landscape, ancient hedgerows and biodiversity.

“If we don’t object, it will send a message to the Planning Inspectorate that we don’t mind, whereas if we make a sufficient noise it will make them think again.”

Coun Cooper claims RWE’s excuse for proposing the onshore cabling route is based on advice from environmental lobbyists who fear the alternative route along the sea-bed would kill marine life. However, Coun Cooper believes the onshore route could endanger human lives and feels that should be prioritised more highly.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/14/meetings-to-oppose-cable-route/