Fears raised that Aquind electricity scheme will 'significantly harm' the South Downs National Park

The Hampshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is calling for a different location to be found for the Aquind interconnector's convertor station, believing that the proposed Lovedean site is not acceptable.

If the Aquind project is approved by the government at a later date it will see electricity cables brought on to land at Eastney in Portsmouth before reaching Lovedean, in Hampshire.

Christopher Napier, of CPRE Hampshire’s planning group, believed a more industrial site needs to be found. He said: 'The first purpose of our national parks is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the national parks.

'Given the high sensitivity and high value of the landscape of the South Downs National Park (SDNP), buildings of this scale, utilitarian appearance and form sited in this location could not but cause significant harm to the setting of the SDNP.

'The significant adverse impact on landscape character, visual amenity and tranquillity of the SDNP would be contrary to the first national park purpose, and so significantly compromise the purpose of designation of the SDNP.'

Proposals for the Lovedean site, which is surrounded on three sides by the national park, currently include two convertor halls, each measuring 90 metres in length, 50 metres in width and up to 26 metres in height.

Although the final planning decision on the scheme will be made by a government inspector, Aquind has said previously the company is 'committed to engaging' with relevant stakeholders such as local authorities and residents.

A spokesman said: 'Aquind interconnector will make a significant contribution to improving the security of Great Britain’s electricity supply, improve energy affordability by increasing competition and efficiency in the market and contribute to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.'

The plans have also led to concerns from Portsmouth politicians as the proposed route of the cables, which require two 0.7 metre trenches, is likely to go from Eastney to Bransbury Park in Milton, then through Milton Allotments, Milton Common, Eastern Road, Langstone Harbour and the Farlington Playing Fields.

It is thought a final decision on the Aquind interconnector from the secretary of state will be made in 2021.