The secretary of state has refused development consent for a 2GW interconnector between Great Britain and France applied for by Aquind.
The bi-directional interconnector was planned to make landfall at Eastney on Portsea Island, Portsmouth, and would connect to Normandy in France. National Infrastructure Planning had recommended approval of the project but it had faced determined local opposition, including from local MPs Penny Mordaunt and Stephen Morgan.
The refusal noted ‘adverse effects’ including impacts on tourism, sports pitches and the Victorious Festival. The compulsory purchase powers “would also result in private losses and could cause delay to the North Portsea Island Coastal Defence Scheme”, the letter said. It added that given “the combination of impacts that result from the proposed landfall in an urban location, the Secretary of State considers that in the circumstances of this particular application it is exceptionally necessary to consider whether sufficient consideration has been given to whether there are more appropriate alternatives to the proposed route,” especially as regards substation siting. Local councils including Havant, Hampshire County Council, Winchester Council and Portsmouth City Council expressed concerns over cable routes and other onshore works. In particular the secretary of state noted that more consideration could have been given to using the existing Manningtree substation, after the Navitus Bay offshore wind farm was refused development consent.
The proposed development was a ‘project of common interest’ under the European Union TEN-E Regulation but the secretary of state noted that after the UK exited the European Union the project lost that status.
Commenting on the decision, a spokesperson for Aquind said: “We are naturally disappointed that our application has been refused, despite the existing Government policy promoting the development of new interconnectors and the benefits the project would bring, which are acknowledged in the decision of the Secretary of State. We draw attention to the recommendation by the apolitical, independent Examining Authority that found strongly in favour of Aquind Interconnector.”
“We disagree with the decision of the Secretary of State, and the rationale behind it. We are considering the decision, the grounds for the refusal, and a potential legal challenge (Judicial Review). We believe our application for a Development Consent Order to be accurate and robust, and it has met all the requirements. We will continue the development of AQUIND Interconnector, and we will be engaging with the relevant parties in the coming weeks.”

UPDATED:The company has six weeks to challenge the decision on 25 January the company reportedly said it would seek judicial review.