Dudgeon Dig Not A Done Deal

Warwich Energy were dealt a new blow this week during their application to bury the power cables from their Dudgeon Windfarm in a 40 meter wide unbilical chord corridor. North Norfolk District Council rejected the plans to bury the power cables from their landfall at Weybourne to Great Ryburgh, this is just 11 miles as the crow flies from Little Dunham where other faltering plans for a huge substation connection to the National Grid are being sort despite continued local objection.

BBC

Warwich Energy plans at Little Dunham can be seen here.

A fair wind for bio digester?

This part of Norfolk either embraces alternative methods of energy production, such as the turbines at North Pickenham and Swaffham, undecided, such as the proposed turbine in nearby Shipdham, or opposed like the electrical sub station, for the Dudgeon off shore wind farm, in Little Dunham.

Renewable Energy Association

Reports today that Dutch business man Teun Smits and Bury St Edmunds based Qualiflex Biproduct Solutions Limited are set to show plans of a recycling and anaerobic digester plant, to be based at West Lexham, at an exhibition to be held at Castle Acre Village Hall, in Pye’s Lane, from 4pm to 7pm on November 10th. The general principle of the plant is that waste organic matter goes in one end and biogas fuel and farm friendly fertiliser comes out the other. Only time will tell whether locals welcome the idea, with 30 direct long term jobs promised, on the positive side, and environmental aromas and increased heavy transport on the other.

Toilet Turmoil, Sub Station Site and Air Ambulance Arrival

Yesterday was Groundhog Day in the USA.

Yesterday was Groundhog Day in the USA.

And déjà vu it is in the EDP today. Watton council warn of a shortfall in funding as their £100,000 refurbed public toilets are repeatedly vandalised, reminiscent of  Swaffham's water closet Waterloo. Just how do you spend £100,000 refurbing some sanitary ware anyhow?

Just to the north of the Pickenhams, in Little Dunham, villagers are up in arms about a proposed electricity sub station. Not one of those humming brick sheds behind the local corner shop, but a 22 acre construction on a 42 acre site around 150 metres from the nearest dwelling. The proposed site will be the terminus for 45km of underground cabling from the Dudgeon Wind Farm landfall at Weybourne.

A short diversion via Little Cressingham yesterday, on my return from the south, as the B1065 was closed and the air ambulance called to assist at a traffic accident at Hilborough.

The injured lorry driver, who was transporting railway sleepers, was airlifted to Addenbrookes in Cambridge by this charity funded emergency resource. The East Anglian Air Ambulance needs £3million a year to run two helicopters 365/24/7 and provide ongoing training. That's about thirty toilet refurbs.

Persistent Planning Permission Petition Part 3

News is that planning permission for the large Dunham Electrical Sub Station, to be located just the other side of the A47 from the Pickenhams, has been rejected by the government ministers.

EDP

Warwick Energy has six weeks to appeal the decision.

Super Site for Sub Station Spot Sceptics

Little Dunham Action Group has an extensive web site to support its opposition to the Dudgeon wind farm sub station including some 3D visuals of the impact to this beautiful part of Norfolk.

Persistent Planning Permission Petition

Residents don't want it, local councilors don't want it but today the fate of a peaceful Breckland village lies in the hands of a government appointed planning inspector.

EDP

The substation planned for Little Dunham, including four 70m high by 25m wide and 15m high converter buildings, will connect the offshore Dudgeon wind farm to the nation grid. Previous blog entries here.