10 Fylde coast councils prepare legal challenge over £3bn offshore wind farm approval
Ten Fylde councils are preparing to launch legal action against the government after the Secretary of State decided to approve plans for the controversial Morgan & Morecambe Offshore Windfarm.
The ten councils, along with the Newton Residents Association, submitted a joint ‘Pre-Action Before Protocol Letter’ to the Government. The letter serves as a formal notice that the group intends to challenge the decision through judicial review.
Five allegations are raised in the letter:
1- The Government's decision was irrational: the letter argues the Secretary of State gave insufficient weight to the project's negative impacts compared with its benefits.
2- Alternative routes were not properly assessed: they argue the Northern Route should have been considered.
3- Green Belt concerns were not adequately explained: they argue that the Government did not justify how the project’s benefits outweighed the harm.
4- Biodiversity impacts were mishandled: they argue the project's assessment failed to properly account for biodiversity losses.
5- The decision-making process was unfair: they argue that changes were made after examinations and that relevant parties were not given time to comment.
The letter requests a response from the government by October 22, Legally, if the response is unsatisfactory, then the group has the right to instigate a Judicial Review. In the meantime, the group will continue to evaluate the pros and cons of further legal action, including the financial costs.
The group’s plan of action has been praised by residents and councillors alike. Fylde MP Andrew Snowden described the efforts of local campaigners as ‘remarkable’, and confirmed his commitment in holding those who made the decision to account.
“The Government may have ignored the voices of local people and overruled the Planning Inspectorate to approve this damaging cabling corridor, but it's clear that people across Fylde are not giving up,” Snowden told the Gazette.
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“I have been raising questions in Parliament and challenging why the alternative northern route, which could save hundreds of millions of pounds, was not given proper consideration.
“I am also pursuing questions with Ofgem and raising the matter with colleagues in Parliament to ensure the Government is held to account for its decision.
“The determination of our parish councils and local campaign groups throughout this process has been remarkable. They have worked tirelessly for our communities, and the latest steps being taken show just how strongly people feel.”