Councillors from Havant Borough Council have voted to join forces with other objectors to publicly oppose a High Voltage Direct Current electricity interconnector project.
In a motion brought to a meeting of the Full Council, Councillor Antonia Harrison, Assistant Cabinet lead for Thriving Waterlooville, and ward Councillor for Purbook invited members to unite with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), neighbouring local authority Portsmouth City Council, local MP’s, and the Let’s Stop Aquind Campaign to prevent the £1.2bn project from going ahead.
The motion also called for the Leader of Havant Borough Council, Councillor Phil Munday to once again write to the Secretary of State to seek an immediate decision for it to be refused.
The project, believed to transmit 17 million MWh of electricity between Britain and France, resulting in approximately 2% (net) of the UK’s total consumption has been judged by Ofgem to export rather than import electricity.
The harmful impact the infrastructure for the interconnector will have on the environment has been highlighted as a major concern, whilst also causing chaos, gridlock, and congestion to the north of the borough.
Emergency services, a hospice, businesses, schools, and residents would be most affected by the detrimental consequences of the works proposed to take place whilst the cables are being laid.
Councillor Harrison said “I am not looking for any commitment of funds from this council, but to simply add to public awareness by stating the council's opposition to the project and seeking publicity to further that awareness and pressure the Secretary of State to make a decision.
“We are fully aware, as a council, that under the previous administration, a donation of £30k was accepted to provide a play park in Waterlooville. Whilst we thank them for their contribution to much-needed resources in the area this is by no means an indication that we support their proposal.
“The disruption that will be caused to Waterlooville and Purbrook, as well as the destruction to the environment and countryside during the installation of the infrastructure will have a detrimental impact for many years.”