LBPC Response to Norwich to Tilbury – Proposed Enabling Works Affecting Little Bromley Parish (Ardleigh Road and Bentley Road)

Dear Sir/Madam

Little Bromley Parish Council (LBPC) objects to National Grid’s stated intention to seek separate planning permission from the local planning authority (Tendring District Council) for enabling works in advance of any decision on the Development Consent Order (DCO). It is wholly inappropriate for works that form part of a Nationally Significant Infrastructure project to proceed before the Secretary of State has determined whether consent should be granted. Whilst National Grid states that it is normal practice on major infrastructure projects and that any works could be reinstated if the DCO were refused, this fundamentally overlooks the irreversible nature of much of the environmental damage likely to result. Mature trees cannot simply be replaced, centuries-old hedgerows cannot be recreated overnight, and established habitats, ecological networks and biodiversity cannot be restored to their existing condition through mitigation or replanting. LBPC therefore strongly opposes any enabling works that would result in the premature loss of vegetation, habitats, landscape features or other environmental assets before the DCO process has concluded. Such works would effectively prejudice the outcome of the examination by allowing irreversible environmental harm to occur before the principal development has been properly determined.

In addition, LBPC continues to object to the highway and access proposals outlined in your consultation.  We are profoundly disappointed by the scale of the permanent and temporary works proposed within our Parish. Far from representing limited highway improvements, the proposals amount to the industrialisation of a tranquil rural landscape and would permanently alter the character of Little Bromley for infrastructure that provides no meaningful benefit to our community.

We are particularly concerned by the proposal to construct a new permanent private access road south of Little Bromley, together with extensive widening of Bentley Road and Ardleigh Road. Your own documentation acknowledges that, once operational, the permanent access road would be used only infrequently for maintenance access. It is therefore entirely disproportionate to permanently transform historic rural lanes, remove established hedgerows and mature trees, introduce engineered junctions, kerbing, road markings, drainage infrastructure, fencing and gates, and urbanise the landscape for infrastructure that will see only occasional use.

LBPC have previously objected to the proposed changes to permanent access road which brings traffic closer to Shop Road and Ardleigh Road residents but our objections have been ignored.  This needs to be addressed before decisions are made.  We will be raising this with the Planning Inspectorate. 

The permanent loss of hedgerows, trees and other vegetation is of particular concern. These landscape features are not simply roadside planting; they define the historic character of the parish, provide important wildlife habitats and ecological connectivity, contribute to carbon storage and screening, and are an integral part of the area’s rural identity. Once removed, these mature features cannot simply be recreated through replacement planting.

LBPC also objects to the establishment of three temporary construction compounds within the parish. The associated construction traffic, heavy machinery, lighting, noise, dust, vibration and prolonged disruption will have a significant impact on residents and the wider environment. While you state that the land will be reinstated following construction, this does not negate the years of disturbance nor compensate for the irreversible loss of mature vegetation and the damage caused during construction.

The proposed road closures during construction are another significant concern. Bentley Road and Ardleigh Road are rural roads with limited capacity and few realistic alternatives. The inevitable disruption will affect residents, local businesses, agricultural operations, school transport and emergency services. The statement that disruption will be minimised offers little reassurance given the scale and duration of the works proposed.

Perhaps most concerning is the continued failure to properly recognise the cumulative impact of these proposals alongside other major infrastructure projects affecting this area, including North Falls, Five Estuaries and Tarchon. Little Bromley is being asked to absorb repeated and overlapping impacts on its landscape, highways, biodiversity, public rights of way and quality of life. The cumulative burden being placed on this small rural parish is entirely disproportionate.

Throughout your consultation material there are repeated references to future discussions, detailed design and efforts to minimise disruption. However, these commitments do not address the fundamental issue. The permanent infrastructure itself is the problem. Once roads have been widened, hedgerows removed, junctions reconstructed and rights of way altered, the damage to the parish is irreversible.

LBPC therefore urges National Grid to fundamentally reconsider these proposals. We believe less damaging alternatives must be explored that avoid the permanent urbanisation of our rural road network and minimise the unnecessary loss of valued landscape features and public amenity.

Unless substantial changes are made to these proposals, the Parish Council will continue to oppose them vigorously throughout the DCO process and will make clear to the Examining Authority that the harm to Little Bromley is unnecessary, disproportionate and wholly unacceptable.

Yours faithfully,

Little Bromley Parish Council