Purpose

Tendring District Council has been invited to
comment on the draft joint design code for the North Falls and Five
Estuaries off-shore wind farm NSIP developments - These are two of
a potential four NSIP proposals planned for the north-western part
of the district. If all DCO submissions are ultimately approved,
the resulting concentration of electricity infrastructure in this
currently rural area could have significant and far-reaching
implications—particularly if a coordinated approach to design
and landscaping is not adopted. It is therefore important that the
views and concerns of the Council and its residents are
communicated clearly through this consultation, so that they can
influence the continued development of the design code for these
two developments.

Content

For TDC to submit a thorough and detailed
response to the North Falls and Five Estuaries joint design guide
public consultation documentation and questions. In summary TDC
raises issues in a number of areas specifically the perceived lack
of cohesion, ambition, and ecological depth in design
matters—treating substations as isolated projects with weak
biodiversity plans, in places uninspired landscaping, fragmented
infrastructure strategy, and missed opportunities for sustainable
innovation and genuine and meaningful community engagement.

Alternative options considered

1.The only other option is to not submit a
response/not engage with the design guide consultation.
This would reduce the Council’s ability to influence design
and landscape matters and also reduce the Council’s ability
to represent the concerns of its residents who are most directly
and significant affected by the proposals.