Agenda item

A presentation will be provided by the agents and contractors acting on behalf of the owners of the former Molins site in Saunderton:

·       Rees Westley and Chris den Heijer, BCS Utilities

·       Dave Burton and David Gaughan, JSM Group

Rees Westley and Chris den Heijer, BCS Utilities and Dave Burton and David Gaughan, JSM Group, attended the meeting to increase stakeholder engagement, answer any questions, discuss the route to be taken off site and mitigate as much disruption as possible.  A presentation was provided, appended to the minutes. Rees explained that BCS were managing the project and JSM were the principal contractor. 

The following key points were raised during the presentation/answered by the team:

• It was confirmed that no houses would be built on the site; it would be a technological centre which had planning consent and the site was almost ready for construction.
• The power requirement was 120 MVA but this would be rationalised and possibly reduced.
• The Data Centre would not take precedence over residents during a power outage as it would be completely separate.
• The power would be supplied from the National Grid Amersham Substation rather than from Longwick as the Longwick site could not provide enough power.
• In response to a query on whether there would be any background noise; it was confirmed that acoustic surveys had been carried out at the site and there was a requirement to meet certain parameters which were set out in the planning conditions and were publicly available.  The acoustic level was based on normal operational use; it would be a highly efficient sub-station, and less noisy than an older sub-station.
• Avalon DC Ltd had commissioned JSM to design and build the sub-station.  JSM were a privately owned, accredited company, with extensive knowledge of this type of work and had a good reputation. 
•  The length of the cable route was 16.4 km, running from Mop End to Saunderton.  It was agreed that a list of the roads affected would be supplied and circulated.

Action: Dave Gaughan/Jackie Binning

• There would be a dedicated site management team.  An in-house engineering team would manage and co-ordinate the electrical and civil engineering activities.
• The trench for the cable would measure approximately one metre wide x 1.4 metre deep. 
• It was anticipated that there would be approximately 10 HGV movements from the Haw Lane site per day.
• Two ‘Special Engineering Difficulties’ had been identified – Valley Road, Hughenden and Haw Lane Bridge, Saunderton. 
• A third party traffic management company would be used, approved by the Local Authority.
• Variable Messaging Signs (VSMs) would be in place four weeks before the start date.
• The start date was confirmed as 3 January 2023; the cabling work would start in January 2024 and would commence in five different locations.   There was an energisation date of August 2024 and the site would be cleared by September 2024. 
• In response to a question on whether night time working would be undertaken on major routes such as the A4010; it was confirmed that night works were not being contemplated and that traffic lights would be used.
• The fibre installation would be carried out in conjunction with the cabling works on Wycombe Road.
• The biggest risks/difficulties were the two SEDs.
• Communication was key and it was suggested that all affected residents needed to be notified, not just the houses along the actual route.  Public meetings would be arranged where required.
• The cabling works in Hughenden Valley would not affect the GP surgery.
• It was agreed that an increased number of VSMs should be in place rather than just on the A roads.  The whole route would be under traffic management and an emergency number would be available; the ambulance service would also be made aware.  The majority of the route would be controlled by two-way traffic lights.  Some buses would need to be suspended, but the situation would be communicated to residents.  The One Network website would include works happening in the area including the cabling works. 
• It was confirmed that an Environmental Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was publicly available on the planning portal.
• The ambient noise in the area formed the baseline for the noise level and the requirement was to achieve a level five decibels below the current baseline.
• It was recommended that publicity material for residents included an explanation of what a data centre was i.e., a technical hub for storing data to facilitate the current way of working and that it was part of the economic regeneration plan.
• The work programme would be driven by the information received from the Highways Team.  Traffics lights were not allowed within two miles of each other on an A road.
• Route maps would be supplied to the HGV drivers to prevent travel via West Wycombe High Street.
• Cllr Simon Breese highlighted the problem of traffic lights under Haw Lane rail bridge and offered to work with them to discuss the options.

Action:  Rees Westley/Cllr Breese

• It was acknowledged that there would be disruption but the aim of the traffic plan was to minimise disruption.  It was confirmed that the Street Works Team were aware of this forthcoming work.
• The letter drop, with contact details, would be undertaken two weeks before starting work on an affected route; side roads would also be included.
• 80% of the ducts were completed and it was estimated that there would be another 18 articulated lorry deliveries to come; they would not be travelling through Bledlow Ridge.
• The Vice-Chairman asked if Members could be notified to enable them to circulate to the parish councils and via the community board.  Dave Gaughan reiterated that the information would be on One Network but would not be specified as cabling work; however, Dave offered to provide a schedule of works to Jackie Binning for circulation; project updates would also be circulated. 

Action:  Dave Gaughan/Jackie Binning

• It was also suggested that a dedicated website be set up; Dave Gaughan offered to look into whether this was possible.

Action:  Dave Gaughan

• The site had not been sold so there was no tenant to share any information on.

The Chairman thanked Rees, Chris, Dave and David for attending.