Cable relay station locations (option 5a and option 6a).
A Cable Relay Station (CRS) for the Norfolk Vanguard project could turn out to be a stumbling stone for Vattenfall’s proposed HVAC option, as North Norfolk District Council pointed to this part of the proposal as the one to be further examined, a little after Happisburgh residents voiced their concerns over this onshore solution at Vattenfall’s consultation session mid-November.
As it stands the available evidence suggests that, in particular, the cable relay stations at either Ridlington (Option 5a) or East Ruston (Option 6a) and the need for noise and landscape mitigation in order to try make those elements of the project acceptable, would likely result in a form of development that would be totally out of character with this relatively intact, historic and highly valued landscape within which many historic assets are located and whose setting would be harmed by the proposal.”
This was said in the council’s response on the contents of the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR), in which North Norfolk District Council detailed its positions on the impacts the 1.8GW project’s onshore infrastructure would have on the local communities and landscape, as well as the public benefits the project would bring.
The District Council will continue to push Vattenfall to consider more appropriate and less sensitive locations on which to place the cable relay stations. In the absence of a viable alternative, the District Council would suggest that a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission system which does not require cable relay stations may be the only suitable option which will not result in long-term significant adverse impacts across the District of North Norfolk.”
The council proposed a meeting with Vattenfall in early 2018 to better understand the developer’s position in proposing the use of an HVAC transmission system which requires construction of large cable relay station facilities in the open countryside.
In addition, the council invited Vattenfall to ensure all consultees – in particular the potentially affected communities – have accurate, relevant, and up-to-date information. The council pointed out that it is crucial that the developer addresses the issues raised by consultees in a timely, comprehensive, rational and evidence-based manner to help eliminate any confusion or uncertainty about what the project is likely to entail, and to help minimise fear in the local community about the project’s impact.