The Secretary of State has yet to make a decision on whether the proposed AQUIND Interconnector between Normandy in France and the UK can go ahead. If it does, objectors fear untold traffic chaos and environmental damage as trenches are dug for the cables from where they are proposed to land at Eastney Beach, up through the city of Portsmouth and onward through Widley and Waterlooville to Lovedean.
One of the reasons for the delay in making a decision was because the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had asked for time to review the proposal. They have now done so and their recommendation is that the development does not get approval owing to fears about security at the naval base in Portsmouth.
In a detailed 8 page analysis, the MoD stated: "the Proposed Development would unacceptably impede and compromise the safe and effective use of a key defence asset, HMNB Portsmouth, and RN operations in the area of HMNB Portsmouth and the English Channel, including unacceptably limiting military training. This represents a clear risk to UK defence and national security."
We obviously hope that the Secretary heeds this view when making his/her decision.
The full response can be found here: Documents | AQUIND Interconnector (planninginspectorate.gov.uk)
