Abstract
This Scoping Report supports a request for a formal Scoping Opinion from the Planning Inspectorate in relation to the proposed East Anglia ONE North offshore windfarm. This Scoping Report has been prepared in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 which enables an applicant to seek a Scoping Opinion from the Planning Inspectorate on the information to be included in an EIA.
This report presents an initial overview and description of the project and a review of the potential impacts associated with the construction, operation and eventual decommissioning of the proposed East Anglia ONE North project. Project details presented are accurate at the time of writing. This report aims to identify the likely significant effects arising from the proposed East Anglia ONE North project on the physical, human and biological environments and also outlines the approach to understanding baseline conditions and addressing environmental impacts through the EIA process.
The East Anglia ONE North project will have an anticipated capacity of up to 800MW, which has the potential to provide 650,000 homes with power. At its nearest point, the East Anglia ONE North windfarm site is 36km from shore. From the wind turbines electricity would flow via subsea inter-array cables to a number of offshore electrical platforms and then to the shore via export cables.
Offshore export cables will connect the proposed East Anglia ONE North windfarm site to shore, making landfall in the vicinity of Sizewell and Thorpeness in Suffolk. From the landfall, cables will be routed underground to an onshore substation which will in turn connect into the main transmission network via a new transmission infrastructure owned and operated by National Grid connecting into the existing overhead pylons. In addition, there may be a requirement to upgrade the existing pylons to allow for connection to the transmission network. The location of the substation and National Grid infrastructure will be finalised in early 2018.
The EIA will be undertaken by experienced and well qualified technical specialists using industry best practice and following appropriate and relevant guidance. Key topics for investigation within the EIA are expected to be offshore ornithology, marine mammals, seascape, landscape and visual amenity, traffic and transport, onshore archaeology and noise.
This Scoping Report is the first stage of the EIA process, it outlines the receptors that will be considered during the EIA and the planned approach to data gathering and characterising the existing environment, assessing potential impacts and developing mitigation measures. A programme of consultation will be ongoing with stakeholders and communities throughout the EIA and DCO application process.