Environmental concerns raised as hearings on controversial Aquind scheme continue

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan was among others present at an environmental-specific meeting that looked at concerns over the £1.2bn scheme that will bring electricity from France to the UK.

If the project is approved by the government's planning inspectorate it is proposed large cables will be laid through Portsmouth starting at Eastney, and affecting Bransbury Park, the Milton Allotments, Eastern Road and Farlington Playing Fields on its way to a converter at Lovedean.

Speaking at the hearing today in front of a government panel, Mr Morgan said: 'The city council believes that there will be significant disruption toresidents - from noise to at anti-social hours to dust and loss of natural light – in a wide-ranging area from Farlington Avenue in the north down to Fort Cumberland Road in my constituency.

'It will also cause long-term disruption to Portsmouth’s valued open spaces, with the unmitigated loss of recreational space at Milton Common and Farlington Playing fields.'In addition to the air pollution created by construction, there is a risk to our city’s precious wildlife at Milton Common.'

He concluded: 'Whatever the apparent merits of this project may be at a national level, to ignore the overwhelmingly negative impact it would have on Portsmouth’s people, businesses and environment would be a dereliction of duty.'

SEE ALSO: Council spends £250,000 fighting Aquind plans

Mike Hughes, from the South Downs National Park Authority, had fears about the construction of the converter station.

He said: 'We are concerned during construction there will be significant impact on tranquillity due to the movement of vehicles including in a car park with over 200 car parking spaces.'

The issue of noise generated by construction work was raised.

In response, Tom Farmer, from WSP Ltd on behalf of Aquind, said: 'Given the night time period is the most sensitive period any cutting and breaking of road surfaces and activity will not be permitted during this period.'

Authorities attending the hearing have until December 23 to submit any further documents highlighting their objections.

The final deadline for the examination of the case by the planning inspectorate is March 8, 2021.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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