Wind farm cables works 'could shut down tourism'

County Councillor Joshua Roberts strongly opposes the current plans

Work to to lay miles of energy cables along the Fylde coast could force businesses to close and damage tourism, a local councillor has warned.

Under the Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Farms scheme, cables would come ashore near Starr Gate beach, close to Blackpool Airport, before running through the Fylde countryside and then into a battery storage facility in Penwortham.

Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for rural affairs, environment and communities at Lancashire County Council, said the proposed route was "detrimental".

Morgan and Morecambe, a partnership between energy firms EnBW and BP, said it was committed to minimising the impact of realising the benefits brought by wind farms.

Fylde MP Andrew Snowden

Morgan and Morecambe said the offshore wind farms "could generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of around two million UK homes every year".

It said: "We recognise that projects of this scale and importance affect local communities.

"We remain fully committed to minimising these effects, and it is absolutely right that concerns are considered thoroughly and independently by the examining authority as part of the ongoing examination."

But Roberts said: "There are only three routes into Fylde and to shut all those down for this wind farm is just disastrous for the people of Fylde.

"It's going to close down businesses, it's going to shut down Fylde's tourism industry."

Roberts questioned the choice of route, adding: "There are much better alternatives. I feel like Morgan and Morecambe's just done this for ease and for the cheapest route.

"There are much better alternatives, especially going through Wyre.

"Let's say the Wyre alternative route is £100m more - they would obviously pick the Fylde one, even though it would shut down businesses and ruin wildlife, and destroy green belt."

'Complete reboot needed'

Fylde's Conservative MP Andrew Snowden also expressed his concerns.

"There is no way that this is an appropriate way to go about doing this," he said.

"There are far more appropriate routes that have been suggested and we can't seem to get anyone to listen, and the substations don't need to be where they are."

Campaigners have suggested an alternative route via Rossall, which would see cables run underground for about 1.5 miles (2km) to the Hill House technology enterprise zone.

Despite the levels of opposition, the currently proposed route is the only one being considered.

Under it, new substations would be built in Kirkham and Newton with Scales that will be visible to residents and businesses.

"We're going to be left with two huge ugly, noise polluting substations slap bang in the green belt," said Snowden. "The whole thing needs a complete reboot."

The project is currently in the examination stage, which means people can have their say and attending hearings.

The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary will ultimately make a final decision about whether the Morgan and Morecambe scheme can go ahead.