Fylde Council Submits Further Representations on Offshore Wind Transmission Assets

Fylde Council has submitted further representations to the Secretary of State regarding the Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Farms Transmission Assets Development Consent Order (DCO), setting out its continuing concerns about the application.

The Council’s representations state that the applicants have “failed to meaningfully engage with the Council” throughout the process and that the withdrawal of Morgon Offshore Wind Limited from the project creates significant delivery and enforcement risks. The Council has stated that it does not consider the DCO should be granted unless its proposed wording, deed of indemnity requirements and full package of mitigation measures are secured.

Separately, Fylde, Wyre and Lancashire Councils have jointly written to the Secretary of State requesting that any decision on the transmission assets be paused. The councils cite a Green-Book compliant economic review and a change in circumstances arising from Morgon Offshore Wind Limited’s withdrawal from its Crown Estate Agreement for Lease.

The economic review concludes that the proposed onshore transmission route could be up to £520 million more expensive than an alternative northern route via Rossall and Hillhouse. The review identifies potential national benefits associated with the alternative route, including 1,100 additional jobs and between £990 million and £1.7 billion in Gross Value Added, and states there are “no insurmountable environmental or ecological challenges” to the alternative route.

A spokesperson for Fylde Council said: “Given the significant change in circumstances and the economic evidence now available, we consider it essential that the Secretary of State has the opportunity to fully consider the implications before any decision is made.”

For more information relating to the Irish Sea Windfarms, visit our dedicated webpage.