Fylde MP makes his point on windfarm cabling route in heated debate with Labour on national TV

Fylde MP Andrew Snowden has taken on a Labour MP on national TV in a heated BBC debate over the highly controversial windfarm cabling route through the area.

Mr Snowden accused the Government of ignoring expert advice, riding roughshod over local communities and approving the damaging cable route despite a better alternative being available.

Appearing on BBC Politics Live, the Fylde MP challenged Labour over the controversial Morgan and Morecambe offshore windfarm cabling corridor, which would carve through miles of Fylde coastline and countryside.

The clash came after Labour MP Preet Gill suggested that opposition to the plans was simply a case of Conservatives not wanting renewable energy infrastructure in their own backyards.

Mr Snowden hit back, pointing out that the Government's own Planning Inspectorate had recommended refusing the application, while the Chair of Ofgem had highlighted an alternative route.

The Fylde MP told the programme: "No one is campaigning against the wind farm. There were multiple options."

He explained how he had worked alongside Labour MPs to support an alternative route through the area, which could unlock investment and improvements to the electricity grid while avoiding the destruction of Fylde's beaches and countryside.

When challenged that he simply did not want the cables in his constituency, Mr Snowden firmly rejected the accusation, pointing out that a neighbouring Labour MP had actually supported the alternative through her own constituency.

He added: "How are you going to take people with you if there are more appropriate, cheaper routes that other people would like to support because it will bring investment into an area and avoids destroying a massive area of coastline and countryside, and the Government just completely ignored it?"

The Government approved the cabling corridor on September 14 despite the Planning Inspectorate's recommendation to refuse the application.

Speaking following the BBC exchange, Mr Snowden said: "The sheer arrogance of this Labour Government is breathtaking.

"Their own planning experts recommended refusal. The Chair of Ofgem highlighted an alternative. Local councils, community groups and MPs from across the political divide raised serious concerns.

“Yet Labour ploughed ahead regardless pushing ahead with their mad targets for Net Zero - and when I challenged them on national television, the best they could come up with was accusing us of NIMBYism.

"This has never been about opposing offshore wind. It's about common sense, protecting our countryside and making sure the right decisions are taken.

"The Labour MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood has supported the alternative route. That rather destroys the argument that we're simply trying to shift the problem somewhere else.

"If the Government is serious about bringing communities with it, perhaps it should start by listening to them, rather than ignoring its own experts.

"I will continue fighting this appalling decision and pressing Ministers to reconsider. The people of Fylde deserve better than this."