'Huge moment for the Fylde coast' - Major Morecambe Windfarm cable decision expected on Monday

Residents across the Fylde coast are braced for what is set to be a seismic week for communities in the region after the Government Planning Inspectorate confirmed that a decision on the proposed Morecambe Windfarm cable route is expected on Monday, September 14.

Numerous stakeholders, including MPs and local councils, have previously urged ministers to reconsider plans for a major offshore wind cabling corridor through the Fylde, pointsing out that the 11-year cable infrastructure scheme is inefficient and overly disruptive when compared to proposed alternatives.

The Fylde Says No! campaign group has described the announcement as the culmination of an ‘extensive and unified effort’ against the proposed route, while Fylde MP Andrew Snowden has described the decision as a ‘huge moment for everyone on the Fylde coast’.

The plans include a 15.5-mile underground cable route coming ashore at Starr Gate beach near Blackpool Airport, crossing the Fylde countryside, and connecting to a battery storage facility in Penwortham. The major infrastructure project has faced huge opposition, with campaigners warning the trenches required for the cables would be equivalent in width to “three motorways”.

The situation changed in January when Morgan Offshore Wind Limited withdrew from the Morgan and Morecambe windfarm project, saying it was “no longer economically viable”. However, the Morecambe element of the development is continuing, with developers saying the windfarm could generate 1,500MW of electricity – enough to power nearly two million homes each year.

But a joint statement from Lancashire County Council, Fylde Council and Wyre Council called on ministers to consider an alternative northern connection following changes to the Morgan project. An independent economic review also found that the new route could potentially save £287m, rising to £520m if upgrades to accommodate the Mooir Vannin offshore wind project near the Isle of Man were included.

The review also suggested the alternative could help unlock the Hillhouse Enterprise Zone, supporting around 1,100 additional jobs and generating between £990m and £1.7bn in additional GVA between 2030 and 2040. The councils invited ministers to Lancashire to examine the proposed landing point and Hillhouse Enterprise Zone before decisions are finalised.

Fylde Says No!

“Following an extensive and unified effort against, from the people of the Fylde, the final decision re the Morecambe Windfarm cable route is to be announced by the Government on Monday 14th September,” read a statement from the Fylde Says No! campaign group.

“Local residents, business owners, farmers, landowners, members of Fylde Says No, councillors and supporters from far and wide will be congregating outside St Annes Town Hall on Monday 14th September from 11am to hear and respond to the outcome together.

“We will then be adjourning to the town house pub for drinks and reflection once the decision comes through, or at 1pm … whichever is soonest. If you have been involved in this campaign in any capacity at all, please join us. If you are only just finding out about it you are very welcome to come along too and find out more.

“Regardless of the outcome on 14th Sept, THIS ISN’T OVER YET! There still remain a number of legal and practical responses and remedies at our disposal.”

‘Irreparable damage and years of disruption’

Andrew Snowden, MP for Fylde, said: “This will be a huge moment for everyone on the Fylde coast. From the moment I was elected, I have been clear that running 30 kilometres of cabling through our beaches, dunes, farmland and countryside risks irreparable damage and years of disruption.

“I pay tribute to the residents, businesses and local Councillors from all parties who have come together to campaign against the proposed plans, as well as the MP for Blackpool North & Fleetwood, Lorraine Beavers.

“Lorraine and I come from different political parties but we agree that the ‘Northern Route’, which would take the cabling infrastructure to Stanah, near Thornton must be properly considered as an alternative.

“This alternative route would save up to £520 million, support around 1,100 jobs and unlock up to £1.7 billion of economic value at Hillhouse and across the Fylde Coast. We have been working together, behind the scenes, on a cross-party basis, to make this case at the very highest levels of Government.

“Lorraine and I will keep doing everything we can, right up until the last minute, to persuade the Government to look again before an irreversible decision is made.”