Aquind: Campaigners stage rally in Guildhall Square to oppose Portsmouth cable plan

Campaigners opposed to plans to lay a new energy interconnector between France and Portsmouth have organised a rally ahead of the deadline for responses to the application at the end of the month.
By Josh Wright
Published 18th Apr 2023, 16:55 BST
Updated 18th Apr 2023, 16:55 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Speakers including both Portsmouth MPs, the leader of Portsmouth City Council and both the founders of Let’s Stop Aquind and French group Non à Aquind, will all warn of the potential disruption the £1.3bn Aquind scheme would have.

NOW READ: Why Portsmouth will rally to see off interconnector menace

Opponents of the project have warned it would have a detrimental impact in Portsmouth which would be its landing point before running through to Lovedean, and ‘destroy’ protected environmental areas in its path.

Portsmouth residents and members of the community campaign group Let's Stop Aquind, outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London during November's judicial review Picture: Tom Pilgrim/PA WirePortsmouth residents and members of the community campaign group Let's Stop Aquind, outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London during November's judicial review Picture: Tom Pilgrim/PA Wire
Portsmouth residents and members of the community campaign group Let's Stop Aquind, outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London during November's judicial review Picture: Tom Pilgrim/PA Wire

SEE ALSO: Residents and politicians unite for final push against cable-laying scheme

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Aquind said the cable would help the government meet its net zero carbon emissions target and boost the country’s energy security.

Last year, the government – in the shape of then business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng – rejected Aquind’s application, but a successful High Court challenge by the company saw this overturned after a judicial review and its plans are now being reconsidered.

The deadline for consultation responses had been March 31 but this was extended to April 28 at the request of both Aquind and Hampshire County Council after more information was requested in a letter from energy secretary Grant Shapps.

It is not known how long it will take Mr Shapps to make a decision when the final information is submitted.

The rally will take place at Guildhall Square on Saturday, running from 12pm until 1pm.

To sign Let’s Stop Aquind’s open letter to the government, see stopaquind.com

Related topics:Stop AquindPortsmouthGrant ShappsFranceKwasi Kwarteng