Campaigners oppose offshore windfarm substation plans

In the village of Cowfold, West Sussex, there is a growing concern among residents regarding the proposed construction of a new electricity substation as part of the Rampion 2 wind farm project. Campaigners, including Meera Smethurst, have voiced their strong opposition to the plans, describing the chosen site as 'incomprehensible. ' The villagers fear that the development will have a detrimental impact on their environment and community. They argue that the construction of the substation will lead to increased traffic and congestion on local roads, which could disrupt their daily lives for years. The Rampion 2 project team has identified a location on Bolney Road and Kent Street for the substation, claiming that it will generate enough renewable energy to power many homes and significantly reduce carbon emissions by 1. 8 million tonnes annually. Meera Smethurst, representing the campaign group Cowfold v Rampion, stated, 'We are not against green energy,' but expressed frustration that local residents were not adequately consulted about the plans for the 12-acre facility. The Rampion team has assured the public that they have conducted a thorough assessment of potential issues and impacts associated with the project. They have provided opportunities for individuals and organizations to share their opinions with the Planning Inspectorate, which is expected to make a decision in 2025. Despite the campaigners' concerns, Rampion reported that a survey conducted by Yonder Consulting in 2022 revealed that 84% of locals believe the advantages of the proposed wind farm outweigh any disadvantages. Furthermore, 82% of respondents expressed their support for the project. However, campaigners argue that the project's impact extends beyond just human concerns. Meera Smethurst highlighted the ecological consequences, stating that the construction and installation of cables from the offshore wind farm could result in the destruction of hundreds of trees, including ancient oaks, as well as natural habitats for various wildlife, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. She emphasized, 'You can't solve the energy crisis by destroying wildlife. Nature is irreplaceable. ' In response to the concerns raised, Rampion explained that the Cowfold site was selected due to its overall advantages from both engineering and environmental perspectives. They assured the community that all cables would be buried underground, minimizing the impact during construction. The company committed to restoring the land to its original condition as soon as possible after the work is completed. Rampion 2 is an expansion of the existing wind farm near Brighton, which began operations in 2018. If approved, the project will double the size of the wind farm, adding 90 new turbines and over 20 miles of cabling connecting Clymping Beach to the proposed substation in Cowfold. Campaigners are also concerned about the need to widen local roads to accommodate heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) during construction. West Sussex County Council has stated that while they are involved in the planning process, they do not have the authority to grant or deny consent for the project. A spokesperson from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero emphasized the importance of achieving clean energy by 2030, stating that securing Britain's clean energy future requires modernizing outdated infrastructure to facilitate the integration of renewable electricity into the grid. They also acknowledged the need to address community concerns, ensuring that those living near clean energy projects directly benefit from them.