Andrew has issued a scathing response to the Planning Inspectorate’s acceptance of plans for the Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Farms cable project. The controversial scheme, which would see undersea cables land near Blackpool Airport and run underground through Fylde, has drawn fierce criticism for its potential to devastate the local environment and disrupt communities.
The plans have faced overwhelming opposition from residents, businesses, and Fylde Council, with concerns raised about the destruction of agricultural land, the threat to homes and livelihoods, and the severe disruption that construction would cause.
Andrew Snowden said:
"My position couldn’t be clearer: the Planning Inspectorate must reject this deeply flawed application and demand that Morgan & Morecambe engage properly with the Fylde community. There are smarter, more sustainable alternatives that haven’t been given the attention they deserve – such as utilising the Hillside Technology Enterprise Zone near Thornton. This route offers a solution with less environmental damage, lower costs, and greater economic benefits. Instead, this blinkered proposal threatens to carve through the heart of our countryside, putting homes, livelihoods, and our community at risk.
Ultimately, the decision rests with the Secretary of State, and that’s why I’ve already challenged Ed Miliband directly in Parliament. Today, I am again urging him to rethink this damaging plan and support a solution that protects our countryside, respects our communities, and secures a better future for Fylde."
Fylde Council has echoed these concerns, condemning the proposals for their lack of transparency and insufficient consultation. Council Leader Karen Buckley described the plans as short-sighted and poorly thought through, emphasising the risks posed to Fylde’s rural character and community well-being.
Despite claims from developers BP, EnBW Energie Baden-Wurttemberg AG, Cobra, and Flotation Energy that the project could generate up to 2GW of energy, Andrew Snowden has slammed the scheme as ill-conceived, particularly when there is a better more cost effective alternative.
Andrew has reaffirmed his commitment to fighting these plans, vowing to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with local residents to protect the countryside, safeguard livelihoods, and ensure that Fylde’s future is not sacrificed for a flawed and damaging project.