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| Aquind: Government loses bid to block cross-Channel electricity cable | Aquind: Government loses bid to block cross-Channel electricity cable |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Stop Aquind campaign, pictured here in Portsmouth in 2021, is "disappointed" by the ruling | The Stop Aquind campaign, pictured here in Portsmouth in 2021, is "disappointed" by the ruling |
| The UK government's decision to refuse permission for a £1.2bn electricity link between England and France has been overturned in the High Court. | The UK government's decision to refuse permission for a £1.2bn electricity link between England and France has been overturned in the High Court. |
| Aquind Ltd says it now plans to press ahead with laying cables through Portsmouth, Hampshire, to Normandy. | Aquind Ltd says it now plans to press ahead with laying cables through Portsmouth, Hampshire, to Normandy. |
| Last year's decision to block the scheme was made by then Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng. | Last year's decision to block the scheme was made by then Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng. |
| Aquind challenged the decision in the High Court after being granted a judicial review. | Aquind challenged the decision in the High Court after being granted a judicial review. |
| The company's proposal has faced objections from residents, campaigners and local MPs, including Commons leader Penny Mordaunt. | The company's proposal has faced objections from residents, campaigners and local MPs, including Commons leader Penny Mordaunt. |
| Kwarteng misunderstood cable evidence, court told | Kwarteng misunderstood cable evidence, court told |
| Government refuses cross-Channel cable permission | Government refuses cross-Channel cable permission |
| Protesters march against cross-Channel cable | Protesters march against cross-Channel cable |
| In his January 2022 ruling, Mr Kwarteng said he was not satisfied that "more appropriate alternatives to the proposed route" had been fully considered. | In his January 2022 ruling, Mr Kwarteng said he was not satisfied that "more appropriate alternatives to the proposed route" had been fully considered. |
| But lawyers for Aquind argued in the High Court that Mr Kwarteng had "misunderstood the evidence" when making his decision. | But lawyers for Aquind argued in the High Court that Mr Kwarteng had "misunderstood the evidence" when making his decision. |
| The interconnector, allowing electricity to flow between the two countries, will make landfall at Eastney beach in Portsmouth | The interconnector, allowing electricity to flow between the two countries, will make landfall at Eastney beach in Portsmouth |
| Aquind director Richard Glasspool said Mr Justice Lieven's decision to rule against the business secretary and Portsmouth City Council was "wonderful news" for the interconnector project. | Aquind director Richard Glasspool said Mr Justice Lieven's decision to rule against the business secretary and Portsmouth City Council was "wonderful news" for the interconnector project. |
| "We look forward to re-engaging with local residents, stakeholders, environmental experts, and energy professionals in order to pursue the commitment to meeting the UK's net zero energy target," he added. | "We look forward to re-engaging with local residents, stakeholders, environmental experts, and energy professionals in order to pursue the commitment to meeting the UK's net zero energy target," he added. |
| But Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said the court's decision "will be a bitter blow to Portsmouth people". | |
| "Aquind's desperate attempt to re-run the argument through the High Court doesn't change the facts, and it shouldn't change the outcome," he said. | |
| "I've been clear from the outset that this project would bring untold disruption to our daily lives and natural environment, with no clear benefits." | |
| The MP added he would "continue to do everything in my power to ensure this project is stopped once and for all". | |
| 'Raise awareness' | |
| Paula-Ann Savage, of the Stop Aquind campaign group, said she was "disappointed" with the court's decision. | Paula-Ann Savage, of the Stop Aquind campaign group, said she was "disappointed" with the court's decision. |
| But she added: "We will continue to raise awareness of the dangers to the environment and our national security. | |
| "Aquind are not an appropriate company to carry out any energy infrastructure project in the UK." | "Aquind are not an appropriate company to carry out any energy infrastructure project in the UK." |
| Aquind Ltd is led by Ukrainian-born British businessman Alexander Temerko | Aquind Ltd is led by Ukrainian-born British businessman Alexander Temerko |
| In October 2021, the BBC's Panorama programme revealed that Aquind is part-owned by Russian-born former oil executive Victor Fedotov. | In October 2021, the BBC's Panorama programme revealed that Aquind is part-owned by Russian-born former oil executive Victor Fedotov. |
| The company has donated more than £700,000 to 34 Conservative MPs since the Aquind project began. | The company has donated more than £700,000 to 34 Conservative MPs since the Aquind project began. |
| Aquind's co-owner, Ukrainian-born businessman Alexander Temerko, has donated a further £700,000 to the party. | Aquind's co-owner, Ukrainian-born businessman Alexander Temerko, has donated a further £700,000 to the party. |