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This from Maggie Nelmes, Ventnor. Ed
My view is that in trying to shirk its responsibilities at Ventnor for land stability, safety and the environment, this energy company does not inspire public confidence. The Isle of Wight council has grounds for rejection of planning permission.
Concern has been expressed by local residents about the public consultation being held regarding the onshore section of the PTEC tidal power project at Flowers Brook in Ventnor.
The company was granted planning permission in December 2021 to bring the electricity cables from the tidal power installations off St Catherine’s Point, Niton, ashore at Ventnor. These cables will be laid across Flowers Brook clifftop meadow, beside which a huge electricity substation will be built next to the sewage pumping station.
Variation of conditions
Now PTEC is seeking approval to alter many of the preconditions imposed by the Isle of Wight Council in 2021, to which PTEC originally agreed.
These preconditions are designed to safeguard the local environment including trees, ensure land stability, protect rights of way and archaeology.
Two phases
PTEC is now seeking to divide the project into two phases, with phase 1 being the construction of an access route to the development site. It wishes to submit its plans to meet the Council’s pre-conditions one phase at a time.
What is its motivation for this, after nearly three years of doing nothing?
“A giant loophole through which it can walk away from all responsibility”
One respondent seems to have the answers. According to Daniel James, AssocRTPI, a partner in Plan Research of Freshwater, who comments in the consultation on behalf of the Undercliff Community, the Applicant is creating a giant loophole through which it can walk away from all responsibility for protecting the environment, nature, archaeology, rights of way, or restoring the land post-construction:
“If the proposed variation of condition application 24/01040/RVC was approved by the Isle of Wight Council, the local authority would lose almost all control over the implementation of Phase 2 of the PTEC development and the restoration of the site; in fact, every aspect of the scheme other than the relatively minor matter of the construction of visibility splays.”
Preconditions would be incorporated in Construction Environmental Management Plan
Preconditions determined in the 2021 planning permission would not be legally binding for stage 2, the main construction phase.
They would instead be incorporated in PTEC’s Construction Environmental Management Plan, which can be altered at any time during the scheme and is not legally binding.
Application could be called in
Daniel’s client questions whether the Council will agree to PTEC’s proposals because of a conflict of interest over an outstanding loan. If it does, the Undercliff Community group will ask their local councillor to have this application called in.
Just because time is running out for planning permission, does not mean that you can behave irresponsibly.
Hanging over heads of Steephill residents for a decade
For the past ten years, this development has been hanging over the heads of Steephill residents who came to live along this beautiful coast for sea views, nature and tranquility. Many were prepared to accept some disruption for clean green energy to protect people and planet from catastrophic climate change.
They had done so twice before, for the mid-nineties coastal defence work and for the laying of pipes and construction of the sewage pumping station in 2000. But now they are questioning the motivation and credentials of a company that appears to operate by deception.
Reading between the lines
Island Roads has twice commented on the Company’s ‘variation of condition’ proposals and approves all but one ‘variation’. It clearly does not read between the lines, as Daniel does. But the Isle of Wight Planning Officers must be conversant with the tricks of the trade and know the game that PTEC is playing.
Many Islanders will be shocked to learn that a company bringing green energy to our UNESCO Biosphere will risk permanent damage to one of our cherished landscapes, the walk from Ventnor to Steephill Cove via Flowers Brook.
Trust could be lost
I understand that Isle of Wight Council originally invested a million pounds in the tidal power project, but later sold two-thirds of its shares.
I hope that it will not connive with this company to deceive Islanders and lose our trust.
Permission must be overturned
As Daniel states, the Planning Authority has the right to overturn planning permission if the Applicant refuses to accept the preconditions it applies. If PTEC now refuses the preconditions it accepted in 2021, the Isle of Wight Council must overturn that permission.
I urge all readers to go to the IW Council Planning portal and read Daniel’s letter in full.
Comply or lose the permission
I believe that if enough people object to Application Ref. 24/01040/RVC, the Planning Committee are likely to reject this application. Then PTEC will have to decide whether to comply with planning law or lose their 2021 permission.
The consultation ends on 20th August 2024.
