Area 7 – Substation Approach
Page Contents
Introduction
This Area considers the cable route from Kings Lane via our new Rampion 2 project electricity substation, to the National Grid Bolney Substation. It includes one modified route (MR), three new trenchless crossings (TCs) and one alternative access (AA). They are all referenced on the following pages using the abbreviations here.
Our Environmental Assessment of Substation Approach
On the following pages you can read about our preliminary assessment of potential changes in Area 7. We don’t believe that introducing these changes is likely to change the overall conclusions of our PEIR from summer 2021. You can read more about our consideration of these potential changes in our PEIR SIR here Formal Consultation Detailed Documents 2022 – Rampion 2. Just look for the relevant MR, AA or TC reference.
Area 7a: Kings Lane to our National Grid connection
Modified Route MR-14
MR-14 would extend our original cable route eastwards, to allow us to avoid the root protection area of a veteran tree, which we identified during our tree surveys.
Trenchless crossing TC-19 and TC-20
TC-19 would pass under a tributary of Cowfold Stream, meaning we wouldn’t have to dig through it to reach our Oakendene substation site. Hedgerows and a mature treeline could remain intact.
TC-20 would carry the power under Kent Street. It would also allow a woodland strip and hedgerows to remain intact.
Potential Environmental Impacts
For MR-14 there are no associated new receptors or changes to impacts compared to those already identified in our 2021 consultation.TC-19 would be in a floodplain and nearby residential dwellings are relevant to these works. TC-20 also has some relevant nearby residential dwellings. These receptors have been identified in our PEIR SIR as either new, or with the potential for a change, in relation to landscape and visual, air quality, noise and vibration, ecology and nature conservation, and water environment (for TC19) and transport effects (for TC20).
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Area 7b: Oakendene substation to our connection
Alternative Access AA-15
AA-15 is an alternative operational access to reach our original proposed cable route via an existing track. This is an existing track which is bound by trees in places and is set in an area of Eastern Low Weald landscape character.
Trenchless Crossing TC-21
TC-21 is proposed to enable our cable route to cross under Wineham Lane without having to dig it up. It also allows some mature trees and hedgerows to remain intact.
Potential Environmental Impacts
For AA-15 some mature trees may need pruning for vehicle access visibility. Some residential dwellings along Wineham Lane have been noted as potential receptors. Residential dwellings nearby to TC-21 have been identified as relevant receptors to this crossing.
These receptors have been identified in our PEIR SIR as either new, or with the potential for a change, in relation to landscape and visual, air quality, noise and vibration, ecology and nature conservation (AA-15) and transport and water environment effects (TC-21).
Tell us what you think. Do you have other things you want to highlight to us?