Approval given for offshore windfarm but issues over cables still to be resolved

Plans for a windfarm off the Lancashire coast have been given planning permissionbut the highly controversial point of how the power generated will connect to the National Grid won't be decided for some months yet.

- by Tony Durkin

The Morgan Offshore Wind Project will see 96 turbines built more than 20 miles off the Fylde coast which developers say will produce 1500MW - enough electricity to power nearly two million homes every year.

Plans for the onshore connection to the national grid from Starr Gate through the Fylde have caused much controversy - including a recent warning from a Lancashire county councillor that the likely disruption caused could force businesses to close and damage tourism.

Joshua Roberts, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for rural affairs, environment and communities, said infrastructure around cables along the Fylde coast could close key road connections into the area.

"There are only three routes into Fylde and to shut all those down for this wind farm is just disastrous for the people of Fylde," Roberts said.