Hello Please see below my comments on the proposed electricity network project between Suffolk and Kent I am writing to voice my concerns about the environmental and social impact that this project will have on Cliffsend and Minster in Ramsgate. There have been past developments which have caused considerable disruption and destruction within the locality; projects that were deemed necessary at the time, but were then obsolete within a short time. I cite Ramsgate Port as one example. I think that this proposal will destroy the area’s identity and worse still, lay the foundation for future development and exploitation of the surrounding area on the basis that the infrastructure is already in place. You have stated that no other viable options are available, but no other proposals have been made or tested as far as I am aware. The land on which you propose to build is waterlogged for much of the year (therefore not suitable for this type of development) and yet you are proposing to install twenty metre subterranean pillars so that the converter station is stable. Where will the aggregate (gravel) come from that will be needed for this? And this will surely add to the amount of heavy traffic to shift materials needed. Heavy machinery will have a devastating effect on land that has been sensitively managed and damage the roads around the site. During the Nemo project (which I understand was another of your schemes) areas of the salt marsh were damaged and have still not recovered. Where you propose to bring the cables on shore is next to a nature reserve that has a Unesco RAMSAR designation, valuable salt marsh; even the land on which the derelict hoverport stands and which you propose to use as construction and maintenance access has become a haven for wild life. This site should be protected as a valuable resource for all, but this has not even been mentioned in your proposal. Such designations seem to be of little account. Using farmland to provide mitigation seems counterproductive when we are losing such land to house building at a fast rate and the need for food security and self-sufficiency has become more important. The proposal overshadows the surrounding villages and countryside and will destroy much prized leisure / recreational space, adversely affect local businesses, As already stated you acknowledge that there will be considerable disruption to traffic through Cliffsend and Minster, both villages whose roads are already under considerable pressure due to the amount of new housing being built. I understand that you also propose to close footpaths for years. You have proposed mitigation for the damage which will be caused and the loss of habitat, but during the Nemo project mitigation and restoration were promised and not delivered, so I don’t have confidence that you will carry out mitigation with any kind of commitment. What historically happens is that new proposals are made to develop land that was offered as mitigation in a previous scheme and the wildlife is expected to move over and over again. You mention enhancements, but what are they? I understand that when you bought the land on which the old wind turbine once stood, you took the turbine down even though it was a nesting site for Ospreys. Whilst I am in favour of renewable energy I don’t believe that this current scheme is practical and that the level of disruption proposed will have a negative effect on the local community and the wildlife we share this land with. Surely if quality of environment is reduced so does our quality of life. I hope that you will consider these comments seriously Yours sincerely Reverend Joyce Outen

Dear Joyce Thank you for your email. The proposed application for the Sea Link Project is currently at the Pre-application stage of the Planning Act 2008 process. Further information about the process can be found in the link below to the National Infrastructure Planning website: The stages of the NSIP process and how you can have your say. The Planning Inspectorate is unable to consider representations about the merits of any application until it has been submitted and accepted for Examination. As the application has not yet been formally submitted to the Planning Inspectorate your first point of contact should be the developer (National Grid), and we would encourage you to contact them directly: Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0808 134 9569 Post: Freepost SEA LINK It is important that the developer is made aware of your comments at the Pre-application stage to enable them to consider the points raised before finalising their proposals and submitting the application. If you have not already done so, we advise that you submit your comments to National Grid at the contact details above. Their consultation period was from 8 July - 11 August 2024 but we would still encourage you to contact the Applicant directly. Kind regards Louise Harraway Case Manager