'Morecambe Windfarm project will change things forever' - Fylde fears after major project approval

The Government’s decision to allow the Morecambe windfarms transmission assets project to go ahead will change the face of the Fylde as we know it forever.

That’s the warning of the Fylde Says No! group of residents which has long campaigned against the scheme.

The plans will see major underground cabling run from the Fylde coastline, through St Annes and rural Fylde towards Penwortham, despite widespread opposition from residents, campaign groups, parish councils and local authorities.

Fylde Says No!, vowing to continue its opposition, claims the plan will include the digging of a huge trench “three times as wide as the M55” through the Fylde to run massive cables from the offshore wind farm at Morecambe bay to the National Grid substation at Penwortham.

“It will mean 11 long years of living on a building site, St Annes beach closed for up to three years, sand dunes compromised as it involves the unprecedented task of drilling through them and taking the cables underneath,” said a Fylde Says No! spoksperson.

“St Annes beach will be closed for up to three years, small farmers bankrupted, there will be noise vibration and air pollution six days a week, with heavy work going on from 7am to 7pm, and wildlife will be decimated far and wide.

“Local businesses and tourism will be ruined and bankrupted, green belt land destroyed, there will be road closures and safety risks and two massive noisy substations built out at Freckleton close up to local homes and schools.

“There will also be bird disruption around Warton Aerodrome increasing the risk of bird strikes on the high velocity aircraft being regularly tested there.”

Deep concern at the plans has also been expressed by St Annes Town Mayor Cllr Cheryl Little and her fellow members of the ruling Conservative group at Fylde Coucnil, on which she sits along with St Annes Town Council.

Cllr Little said: “St Annes is a unique coastal community, valued by residents and visitors alike for its promenade, beaches, open spaces, tourism, wildlife and quality of life.

“Any major infrastructure project of this scale must properly consider the impact it could have on these important assets.

“While I fully recognise the importance of renewable energy and the need to move towards a more sustainable future, that cannot mean that local communities are expected to simply accept significant disruption or environmental consequences without proper scrutiny.

“We need clear answers about the proposed route, the construction impacts, the effect on our coastline and public spaces, traffic and access, tourism, local businesses, wildlife and the long-term consequences for our community.

“Most importantly, residents must have a meaningful voice in decisions that could have a lasting impact on St Annes.

“Renewable energy is important — but so too is protecting the communities, coastline and environment in which people live.

“St Annes deserves to be properly heard, properly consulted and properly protected.”

Fylde Council leader Cllr Karen Buckley has already confirmed the council is taking legal advice on the implications of the Government decision.

Cllr Gavin Harrison, chairman of Fylde Council’s planning committee, said: "This is a very disappointing decision given the alternative proposed route.

“We are now considering what we can do to overturn this decision or mitigate against the horrendous impact it will have, should it go ahead."

Planning committee vice chairman Cllr Martin Evans added: "The Government has shown an appalling lack of vision and missed opportunities that could have seen us endorsing the green agenda while seeing quality job opportunites delivered on a scheme that caused little inconvenience.

“Instead we'll see widespread damage to our communities and electricity provided at a much higher price than it should be."

Cllr Tommy Threlfall, Fylde’s lead member for environment, said: "This will bring disruption in life for so many people. The environmental impact will be unanswerable and it is so disappointing that this decision has been made this way."

Cllr Michelle Morris, lead member for customer and operational services, said: "It's a disgrace the way the residents of Fylde are being treated. They have been ignored. This is going to cause upheaval for years and businesses will be destroyed."

Cllr Chris Dixon, lead member for social wellbeing, said: "This Government has passed 'green' plans which will destroy businesses and cause irreparable damage to farmland and greenfield sites, at a cost hundreds of millions more than a popular alternative on a brownfield site in Wyre.

“This will significantly increase the price of energy bills from the windfarm. It's lose-lose, utter hypocrisy, and a betrayal of every resident and business in Fylde."

Cllr Jayne Nixon, lead member for tourism, leisure and culture, said: "They are intent on destroying our countryside for no good reason. This is the green agenda gone mad - destroying our countryside and privileged farmland when an easier and far cheaper alternative was available."

Fylde mayor Cllr Richard Redcliffe said: "All of the objections have been swept aside and they have ignored the potential savings from the alternative, far more sensible route. It is a sad day for the residents and businesses in Fylde."