Spalding area could play part in major wind farm plan
The Spalding area remains in the running to play its part in a proposed wind farm project.
Developers Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind are behind the scheme which would provide enough electricity to power 1.6 million homes.
Following a public consultation, planners continue to look at two potential connection points for the 1.5GW wind farm, which would be situated 54km off the Lincolnshire coast.
The proposed project would bring a cable ashore south of Anderby Creek.
These cables would continue underground to one of two different connection points currently proposed by National Grid – a connection to the existing overhead line circuits at Weston Marsh, north of Spalding, or to a proposed new National Grid substation, which would be east of Alford.
However, if the wind farm was to connect to Weston Marsh, there could be a change of proposed route west of the A52 between Wainfleet All Saints and Butterwick.
Original plans suggested running the cables along the coastline but the alternative proposals would be set further inland.
Both prospective routes incorporate land in Wyberton, Kirton, Fosdyke, Sutterton Dowdyke, Surfleet Seas End and Moulton Seas End.
Chris Jenner, development manager for the project said: “As part of the feedback received during the Phase 1 consultation, we have been made aware of various engineering and environmental considerations potentially affecting the central section of the proposed cable corridor between Wainfleet All Saints and Butterwick.
“In combination with guidance from our environmental and engineering teams along with our site surveys and meetings, we are now also proposing and consulting on a potential alternative deviation to the central section of the onshore cable route option to Weston Marsh.”
The public can gather more information from two upcoming events.
Mr Jenner added: “The project will be hosting some additional project information days at Wainfleet on February 21 and Old Leake on February 24 to seek stakeholder views on this potential alternative.
If the Weston Marsh grid connection option is progressed, the project will use this feedback to inform the route selection that would be taken forward to consent application at the end of 2023.”
Mr Jenner added that landowners affected by this possible alternative route proposal have already been contacted by their land agents, Dalcour MacLaren.
Should any residents have any concerns, they can email Outer Dowsing at contact@outerdowsing.com or write to them free of charge at FREEPOST ODOW.
