Phase One Consultation

Phase One of the consultation was held in West Moors in November 2011. The consultation focused on the site for the onshore substation, looking at two locations known as Site 2 (south of the existing substation at Mannington) and Site 3a (east of West Moors Road). Both locations are close to the existing National Grid substation at Three Legged Cross.

Click here to view the map of the two proposed substation locations for Phase One consultation

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2012.
Map not to scale, for illustrative purposes only.

To view a more detailed map click on the image

Over 200 people attended the events and 79 feedback forms were received with 54 people responding to the question ‘Which of the two substation sites do you prefer?’ Consultees, were also asked to indicate issues they had in relation to the development of the substation, irrespective of its siting.

Click here to view the summary of substation issues

38 people stated they preferred Site 2 and 18 preferred Site 3a. Although there was a slight preference for Site 2, when Navitus Bay looked at areas of community concern and other technical constraints, it was concluded that Site 3a was better solution because:

• It would have less impact on delicate water meadows, hedgerows and other local species.
• Less visual impact compared to Site 2 because of existing mature trees.
• It allows the new substation to meet relevant noise standard.
• It would avoid any potential disruption to the footpath from Haddons Drive.
• Further design work suggested the substation may need to be larger than originally identified so a substation at Site 2 would not be feasible due to existing overhead lines which lie directly south of the existing Mannington substation.

Additionally the following design changes would address other concerns raised:

• Rather than removing mature trees, Navitus Bay will drill cables under the Mill Nursery plantation, reducing impact on the Mill Nursery Site of Nature Conservation Interest.
• A curved access road has been designed to eliminate direct views into the substation site from West Moors Road.
• Substation construction traffic would be routed along Ringwood Road, thereby minimising impacts through West Moors.