NationalGrid have provided the following update on plans for Sea Link, a new primarily offshore 2 gigawatt high voltage network reinforcement between Suffolk and Kent.
National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) undertook statutory consultation between 24 October and 18 December 2023. Following review of the feedback received, a series of refinements were made to the Project proposals. Further feedback was sought on these design changes during a period of targeted consultation which took place between 08 July and 11 August 2024.
We are intending to submit our application for development consent in early 2025. In advance of this, we have made a number of further amendments to the design, reflecting feedback received during both rounds of consultation as well as ongoing assessment work. NGET would like to take this opportunity to update you on our plans.
These further amendments to the proposed development are not material or substantial changes. They do not materially change the effects or fundamentally change the project as a whole. A summary of these amendments and our latest plans can be found on our website at www.nationalgrid.com/sealink.
Given the role of Suffolk County Council, however, we would like to engage with you specifically on the following changes which may be of interest.
Fromus crossing
We have realigned and rotated the proposed crossing of the River Fromus, to avoid valuable trees on the eastern bank. This moves the bridge approximately 40m further north along the river.
As before, we are proposing a bridge that is approximately 6m high from riverbank to parapet level, with approach ramps of approximately 80m, as well as an alternative smaller version that is approximately 4m high (which would be our preferred option, subject to the outcome of discussions with key environmental stakeholders). The final design of the bridge would be confirmed at later stages and, as you are aware, we are working with yourselves, architects and the local design review panel to agree designs for consider opportunities for a crossing that adopts an architectural approach that is sensitive to its setting. The onward access road towards the converter station has been slightly realigned.
Realigning the proposed bridge brings it closer to the southern part of Saxmundham, meaning that the bridge and associated access track would become more prominent in key views of the Conservation Area and the Grade II* Church of St John the Baptist Church from the south. They also get closer to the Grade II listed Hurts Hall, potentially impacting on views from the hall.
Impacts on these heritage assets may be reduced through mitigation, such as the final design and appearance of the bridge or screening provided by planting, although the proposed bridge is likely to result in significant adverse effects on the setting of the Church of St John the Baptist and Hurts Hall. However, the proposed changes will not result in substantial harm – the level of harm would be less than substantial in policy terms. This is because the proposed changes would not seriously affect any key elements of the special architectural or historic interest of Hurts Hall or the Church of St John the Baptist.
Ongoing assessment work and design of the bridge itself will confirm any impacts and inform any mitigation.
Construction & maintenance compounds
We have reintroduced areas adjacent to the proposed converter station to provide more flexibility on where we can locate the necessary construction compound.
This reflects ongoing discussions around how we are coordinating with National Grid Ventures regarding their proposed interconnector projects. By including flexibility in where we can put our construction compound, we are allowing National Grid Ventures more time to consider where to locate their own converter station within the wider site. By giving Sea Link flexibility, we are giving NGV more flexibility and greater opportunity to effectively site their own converter station and construction area, as part of a coordinated wider site. Views have already been sought on this wider more flexible area for construction compound locations during our statutory consultation in late 2023.
The design of the construction & maintenance compounds is not expected to result in materially different environmental effects to those already reported and consulted on during previous consultations and in preliminary environmental information provided previously.
Mitigation and enhancement land
We have moved, introduced, or refined areas of land proposed for ecological mitigation and/or enhancement, following feedback from key stakeholders.
We have moved an area of proposed temporary mitigation from where it was shown at targeted consultation (off the A1094, within the National Landscape area) to a nearby site on the other side of the road (including proposed access improvements, if necessary). This is because the baseline ecological condition of the new site is considered to provide a better opportunity for delivering this temporary mitigation, which involves managing it as acid grassland for ten years. We have also introduced an additional area of arable farmland close to Saxmundham, where it is proposed to adapt existing farming practices to include ‘skylark plots’.
These are unsown areas within arable crops which provide skylarks with access to nesting habitats throughout the breeding season. Finally, we have refined areas of land along the River Fromus to better reflect the opportunities for the delivery of ecological enhancement, removing certain areas which are not required for mitigation, and where managing and maintaining habitats may be difficult and deliver fewer public benefits.
The approach to mitigation land is not expected to result in materially different environmental effects to those already reported and consulted on during previous consultations and in the preliminary environmental information provided previously.
Other changes
Various other adjustments are proposed to the design, including access routes and underground cable alignments in Suffolk.
Other adjustments include introducing more flexibility for routing the Friston substation access road, and new and relocated monitoring accesses off the B1119 to potential joint bay locations. Other changes include introducing more flexibility for routing the underground cables into Friston substation, to allow us the better coordinate final routing with future projects in way that retains the functionality of landscape planting. We are introducing more flexibility for routing the underground cables within an area east of Friston to allow us to avoid buried archaeology, if necessary.
These other changes are not expected to result in materially different environmental effects to those already reported and consulted on during previous consultations and in preliminary environmental information provided previously.
Further information
The above changes are outlined on the attached illustrative plans, with more detailed General Arrangement plans on our website. These changes will be reported in the Consultation Report that we will submit with the application for development consent in early 2025, and there will be further opportunities to engage with the Project and make representations at that stage.
In the meantime, however, should you have any further comments on the above changes that you would like to communicate to the Project team, please do so by email to [email protected] or by post to Freepost SEA LINK by Sunday 12 January 2025. Please copy in the Town Clerk to keep Aldeburgh Town Council updated ([email protected]).
The dedicated Sea Link project email ([email protected]) and telephone line (T: 0808 134 9569) will continue to be operated Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:30pm, where stakeholders and members of the public can lodge any questions they have directly with the project team, or request paper copies of documents.
Documents providing further details about the project and their proposals can be viewed online at https://www.nationalgrid.com/the-great-grid-upgrade/sea-link/document-library
