Fears gas plant plan for Cut Throat Lane in Witham will harm hedgerows

Conrad Energy is seeking full planning permission to construct a standby gas powered generation facility on land off Cut Throat Lane.

The proposals have already been objected to by a number of allotment owners, who have parcels of land nearby to the proposed facility.

But Cypress Road resident Susan Smith has also raised concerns about how construction teams will access the site.

The proposed traffic management plan will see parts of Cut Throat Lane and Mulberry Gardens widened to accommodate for large vehicles.

An existing access road to the site will be widened to six metres, while a new temporary access point measuring 14 metres wide, will also be created.

This will see a hedgerow removed along Cut Throat Lane, while foliage will also need to be cut back to allow for the temporary widening of roads.

Ms Smith has been critical of the proposals due to the impact it will have on the area and believes as it is only needed for a short period, the damage caused to the hedgerow will be unnecessary.

She said: "I think it’s a case of decimating everything in their path just to get access to the site.

"But there’s no need to do that because it’s only needed temporarily. I can see at least one alternative that would mean you don’t have to go ripping out hedges and distributing wildlife.

"The hedges and vegetation round there are unique and help to make the landscape look nice. They have been there for more than 100 years.

"They also act as a sound barrier from the A12 and industrial estate for people living around here so they are important to us."

Public comments on the plans must be submitted by tomorrow and Ms Smith has also questioned the short-length of the consultation period.

She added: "I am worried they haven’t consulted long enough because there are very few objections from people living nearby. I only get a letter about it the other day.

"I can’t believe I am the only one who will be worried about this."