Controversial wind farm plans approved

A controversial plan to build high-voltage cables across the Fylde to connect Irish Sea wind farms to the National Grid has been approved by the government despite local opposition.

Fylde Council leader Karen Buckley said the decision "will come as a blow" to residents, community groups and parish councils which have fought the cabling corridor.

The cables will connect the proposed Morgan Offshore Wind Project to the National Grid. Developers said the scheme would see 96 turbines built more than 20 miles (32km) off the Fylde coast and generate enough electricity to power nearly two million homes every year.

Electricity will come ashore on the Lancashire coast before being carried underground to a new grid connection at Penwortham, near Preston.

Under the scheme, cables would come ashore near Starr Gate beach, close to Blackpool Airport, before running through the countryside and into a battery storage facility in Penwortham.

The project also includes substations and other infrastructure, despite objections raised by residents, councils and campaign groups during a public consultation.

Fylde's Conservative MP Andrew Snowden said he was "as stunned as I am angry" that the plans had been approved and said he would work with Fylde Council on next steps.

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