Windfarms, for better or worse, are now a part of everyday life on the North Norfolk coast. The view north from the crest of that ridge near Kettle Hill, as one drives towards Blakeney on the Langham Road, is now as much about the distant ghostly towers of Sheringham Shoals as it is about the marsh, the sea, the sky.

Of course, there is a lot to be said for wind power — it reduces reliance on fossil fuels, as a technology it is constantly improving, while to a limited extent, at least, windfarms have provided a boost to the local economy. But at the same time, it cannot be denied that, even now, they have had a profound impact upon the appearance, and possibly the natural environment, of our own remarkable Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

In recent weeks, details relating to Dong Energy’s proposed Hornsea Three project have started to trouble many in North Norfolk. That this is the case is due in large part to the vigilance and hard work of Godfrey Sayers and the Friends of North Norfolk.

Although the proposed windfarm, apparently the largest in the world, is proposed to be built off the Yorkshire coast, it will ‘come ashore’ at Weybourne.

Rather bizarrely, such projects are not required to specify whether they are pursuing an AC or DC option until after planning consent has been granted. Mr Sayers has been untiring in his efforts to draw attention to the effects, in particular, of the proposed HVAC option, which would involve both large land-based booster stations and extensive cabling. These would, he rightly argues, have a profound and negative effect on the North Norfolk coast. The HVDC option, in contrast, would be considerably less intrusive.

Mr Sayers has asked that anyone who feels that the HVAC option, with its accompanying disruption to lives and landscape, should be rejected in favour of the HVDC option, which would not require booster stations or extensive cabling, should make their views known at the following address:

contact@hornsea-project-three.co.uk

At NNPW, we very much welcome Mr Sayer’s efforts to hold to account both the planners who are meant to be looking after our interests, and also commercial parties who may otherwise not fully understand the significance of our beautiful and unique part of the world, or the extent of local people’s feelings regarding it.H