The Planning Inspectorate has accepted for examination the development consent order application submitted by Equinor on behalf of its partners to develop the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon offshore wind farm extension projects.
The Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm, operated by Equinor and its partners, off the Norfolk coast. Photo: Equinor
Both of these wind farms are situated off the north Norfolk coast and the expansion would power the equivalent of an additional 785,000 UK homes.
If approved, the 60-kilometre onshore cable route from these extension projects could affect a number of villages in the Reepham district.
The cables will come ashore at Weybourne, before being installed in a trench heading south, passing to the east of Cawston, towards a new substation near the existing National Grid facility at Swardeston.
The cable trench is also planned to pass near Saxthorpe, Heydon, Brandiston, Swannington, Attlebridge and Weston Longville.
The Norwegian state-owned multinational energy company said that, following extensive consultation, it has integrated several design changes into the extension projects to mitigate local disruption.
This will include trenchless crossings of all A and B roads and 20 other local roads; construction of a “haul road” along the cable route to reduce the number of access points and heavy goods vehicle movements on the local road network; and the repositioning of numerous construction access locations.
As proposed Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects there will be a series of hearings and deadlines over a six-week period lasting until 14 November.
People and organisations can register as “interested parties” by sending a short email to sadep@planninginspectorate.gov.uk, asking to register as an IP, with your name, address and email.
You will then be informed of dates and deadlines, with a greater weight given to your submissions and a chance to speak at hearings.
Cawston Parish Council said that, while it is fully supportive of renewable energy and the drive to net zero, it is also concerned about the impact of these projects locally and has been working to reduce the effects on the community.
The parish council is now looking for residents who can help with building up its case and arguments for submission to the Planning Inspectorate.
No particular skills or experience are needed, just a bit of spare time and the willingness to go through some documents online. If you can help, please email cawstonpc@yahoo.co.uk
See our earlier stories:
- Public information events for offshore wind farm extensions
- Equinor updates on offshore wind farm extensions
- Another offshore windfarm cable corridor could hit local villages