Infighting over Aquind interconnector in Portsmouth could see appeal 'descend into madness'

The government's Planning Inspectorate held a second preliminary meeting over Aquind’s bid for a £1.2bn interconnector, which would bring electricity from France through Eastney, Milton, Langstone Harbour and through Farlington Playing Fields on its way to Lovedean.

Although the meeting was largely a formality, planning inspectors stressed that Aquind and the attending councils – Portsmouth, Havant, Hampshire and Winchester – should be holding discussions outside the legal process.

The previous meeting saw the four councils round on the developers over the impact on public spaces, after Portsmouth City Council criticised Aquind for its ‘draconian' bid for compulsory acquisition powers, which would see the firm buy up the land they wish to use.

Inspector Stephen Roscoe said: ‘This examination is not a blame game.

‘You should be getting on with things between yourselves, because there is an urgency of progress between the parties.

‘All the points you want to make should go in your written representations – don’t leave it to be raised at a hearing.’

One of the main issues of contention for the councils is that an alternative route – which would take the interconnector through open countryside to the west of the A3 – has not been considered by Aquind.

Following the preliminary hearings, issue-specific meetings are set to take place, where interested parties will debate issues such as traffic and environmental impact.

Simon Bird, who represented Aquind at the meeting, added: ‘There is a risk of descending into madness here.

‘It seems to us that the suggestions of issues should be dealt with at a later date.’

A further submission has also been made by South Downs National Park Authority, requesting an additional issue-specific meeting to discuss the landscaping and visual impact on the national park.

Mr Roscoe said: ‘We will consider requests but they are just that.’

As per the Planning Inspectorate’s schedule, hearings will recommence in December, once all written representations have been made.

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