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.

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.

Beet, Berney, Burning and Build Ban

With the mild and dry weather set to continue, the annual sugar beet harvest race has started in Norfolk. Rude awakenings for the next month or so as the huge lorries thunder around the rural highways with or without their sweet load.

A new Norfolk forum, the Norfolk Mardler (that's Norfolk Gossiper to outsiders), led me to what must be the smallest railway station in the country.

Berney Arms railway station is 3.5 miles from the nearest road and is the most remote station in Norfolk. It is only accessible by rail, boat, on foot or on horseback and is 5 miles west of Great Yarmouth. Trains will only stop on request for you to visit the English Heritage windmill or the RSPB nature reserve.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service had another busy day, so did the reporter who posted this riveting story.

Good news for the nearby Dunhams with a planning reprieve for the huge sub station next to this small settlement, that I reported on in March, to connect the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm to the National Grid. Warwick Energy may well appeal, the associated cable laying was given approval.

Sauntered up to Sheringham Park

Went to sunny Sheringham Park to walk with sort of relatives with five dogs and one less sproglet. Beautiful views matched by the calm winds and warm sunshine. I was proud to climb the Gazebo tower without thoughts of my vertigo and, unlike two years ago, I remained on my two feet and didn't need to sit down in the middle of the upper platform for five minutes to compose myself before a shaking, humiliating descent. It is the slight give under foot by the wooden boards that pervert the usually stable brain cells.
Wonderful views, though.

Weybourne beach was stony but beautiful with signs that the Dudgeon wind farm land fall cable site is being dredged just offshore with the implications to Pickenhams' nearby neighbours The Dunhams and the proposed sub station.
The children had fun, so did the dogs .

All photos © J Reed

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.