People have their say over IFA2 plans

Now members of the public have had the chance to get an in-depth look about the project.

IFA2 is the plan for a 1,000 MW interconnector between England and France, costing National Grid £500m to build at Daedalus.

The site will act as a transformer for renewable energy, which will be used by the two countries.

However, even before outline plans were approved in January this year, it has been met with fierce opposition from residents.

Concerns centre on the size of the building, the noise pollution and the safety of the runway at Daedalus in Lee-on-the-Solent.

On Friday and Saturday many attended a public consultation at Cemast in Daedalus.

One resident, who lives near the Daedalus site but wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘We are just totally against it.

‘We live close to the site and it is certainly going to affect us. It feels wrong.

‘It is monstrous. They have reduced it but it is still a very large structure – we don’t see it from where we live but others feel the same way about it.

‘The 10 jobs it is creating isn’t really enough either.’

Cllr John Beavis, member for Lee West at Gosport Borough Council, said residents will continue to fight against the IFA2.

He said: ‘To me, the fact that they are going ahead with it when there are so many complaints, means that they are just determined to get on with it.

‘The only thing that can save us now is if France pulls the plug on it.’

Sonia Luck, from National Grid, said that all public comments are taken on board as a more detailed plan develops. The size has already been reduced.

She said: ‘We have planning permission in principle and we’re due to submit a detailed planning application in the summer.

‘The objective of this consultation was to update local residents and stakeholders about the details on proposals for the converters station and open space.

‘We are going to be within public exposure limits and, once it is operation, we will be expected to operate within those set limits.

‘That is our plan.’