Community Engagment
The net zero transition is not a one-way street, in fact it is far from it. Developers bringing new projects to regions, including the East of England, want to engage with local communities to hear their views, concerns and ideas as new infrastructure moves forward, but also to make a difference.
They want to give back to the communities that play host to their new infrastructure, ensuring they can leave a legacy that stretches far beyond just the projects they build. In this section, we look at how developers work to address community concerns and get involved in the communities they are building their projects in.
Addressing Community Concerns
It is natural for communities to be concerned as increasing amounts of infrastructure go through planning, into development and then into operation.
This is something that developers recognise and carry out consultations (both statutory and non-statutory) throughout the development period to keep people informed of how plans are progressing, while also giving them an opportunity to make their voice heard.
There are more specialist approaches, though, that go beyond simple consultations. Sizewell C has a handful of Community Forums and working groups. These provide a way for local people to discuss key issues with Sizewell C as they kick off the construction phase.
There is a Main Development Site Forum that features representatives from communities located in the immediate vicinity of Sizewell C’s main development site. This gives them a chance to discuss construction progress and other key issues that have an impact on the local community.
Alongside this, there are forums related to road and rail works nearby – a Southern Transport Forum and a Northern Transport Forum. Then there is an Annual Community Forum too. This provides a platform for the East Suffolk community to hear updates on the works on an annual basis.
Community Involvement
As well as addressing community concerns, developers also look to get involved and work with communities in a whole host of different ways.
Sizewell C has been heavily involved in its community, partnering with charities and looking to improve and enhance infrastructure in Suffolk. For example, it has linked up with Project 21, offering opportunities to people with Down’s Syndrome at the project. This saw five work placements to those with Down’s Syndrome and funding for a full-time position at Project 21, overseeing and coordinating placements.
Beyond this, Sizewell C has also worked with Openreach to build a new fibre connection in and around Leiston, meaning more Suffolk communities get ultrafast, ultra-reliable full fibre broadband. It has also launched a community arts programme, which has included a Come and Sing event at Leiston Abbey. The purpose of the programme is to provide free, accessible and sustainable arts events and initiatives for the community and local schools.
National Grid is looking to upgrade the electricity transmission network in East Anglia and wants to support communities across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex as this happens. This has seen it work with Affordable Warmth Solutions to provide free home insulation and other energy efficiency measures and fund Citizens Advice through its Energy Support Fund, extending services to provide more than 300 households with advice.
National Grid has also partnered with the University of East Anglia, supporting students with mock interviews, helping boost their employability, and opened their eyes to local career opportunities. This tie-up has seen National Grid mentor a student research project that explored the challenges of space weather on electricity networks too, as well as mentor young people in East Anglia through the annual Engineering Unlocked summer school.
The e-scooters people speed around Norwich on are also part of National Grid’s work after it partnered with Beryl for a bike, e-bike and e-scooter share scheme alongside Norfolk County Council.
Elsewhere, the Galloper Wind Farm, which has been in operation for five years is always working to increase its community engagement. Particularly through its local schools and educational initiatives, sponsorships, hosting and attending events, and through community benefit funds.
Galloper has invited residents to tour its substation; hosted initiatives such as Galloper Sportive, which saw team members cycle or walk along the coastline in Suffolk to raise money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance charity; sponsored a number of local initiatives that have helped to boost the profile and awareness of the wind farm and the opportunities that come with it; and seen the project itself become actively engaged in worthwhile community activities in and around the Tendring area where the Operations and Maintenance Base is located.
Galloper has also made a number of efforts to share skills and experiences with the next generation of renewables experts, delivering tailored programmes of education and skills activity across the East coast, including its own Introduction to Offshore Wind Careers Programme.