Latest news with #Fylde
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Flyde Coast wind farm cables works 'could shut down tourism'
Work to to lay miles of energy cables along the Fylde coast could force businesses to close and damage tourism, a local councillor has warned. Under the Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Farms scheme, cables would come ashore near Starr Gate beach, close to Blackpool Airport, before running through the Fylde countryside and then into a battery storage facility in Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for rural affairs, environment and communities at Lancashire County Council, said the proposed route was "detrimental".Morgan and Morecambe, a partnership between energy firms EnBW and BP, said it was committed to minimising the impact of realising the benefits brought by wind farms. Morgan and Morecambe said the offshore wind farms "could generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of around two million UK homes every year".It said: "We recognise that projects of this scale and importance affect local communities. "We remain fully committed to minimising these effects, and it is absolutely right that concerns are considered thoroughly and independently by the examining authority as part of the ongoing examination."But Roberts said: "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."It's going to close down businesses, it's going to shut down Fylde's tourism industry."Roberts questioned the choice of route, adding: "There are much better alternatives. I feel like Morgan and Morecambe's just done this for ease and for the cheapest route."There are much better alternatives, especially going through Wyre."Let's say the Wyre alternative route is £100m more - they would obviously pick the Fylde one, even though it would shut down businesses and ruin wildlife, and destroy green belt." 'Complete reboot needed' Fylde's Conservative MP Andrew Snowden also expressed his concerns."There is no way that this is an appropriate way to go about doing this," he said."There are far more appropriate routes that have been suggested and we can't seem to get anyone to listen, and the substations don't need to be where they are."Campaigners have suggested an alternative route via Rossall, which would see cables run underground for about 1.5 miles (2km) to the Hill House technology enterprise the levels of opposition, the currently proposed route is the only one being it, new substations would be built in Kirkham and Newton with Scales that will be visible to residents and businesses."We're going to be left with two huge ugly, noise polluting substations slap bang in the green belt," said Snowden. "The whole thing needs a complete reboot."The project is currently in the examination stage, which means people can have their say and attending Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary will ultimately make a final decision about whether the Morgan and Morecambe scheme can go ahead. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
31-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Time's up for firm to restore ex-fracking site, says resident
A woman who lives across the road from a former fracking site says she is "frustrated" the energy firm responsible for the fracking has applied for more time to restore the site to Resources has asked for a two-year extension to rehabilitate the Preston New Road drilling site in Little Plumpton, Fylde, claiming the delay re-establishing the farmland is due to monitoring required by the Environment local resident Susan Halliday said the work should have been completed some time ago: "They have already had one two-year extension – how do we know they won't be coming back again in two years time?" The BBC has contacted Cuadrilla for comment. Cuadrilla has applied to Lancashire County Council for an extension to planning permission, which ran out last month.A previous extension was granted in 2023. The company said, while work, including the plugging and capping of wells, had taken place, monitoring by the Environment Agency meant the restoration may not be completed before summer Ms Halliday countered: "It's frustrating because I don't feel we have won until it's all completely added: "The fence is still in place. Until that is taken away, it is still not a greenfield site." Her views were echoed by Josh Roberts, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for rural affairs, the environment and communities."We want the site fully restored without further delays – progress has been far too slow," said Roberts."Any extensions need to be backed by solid reasons and not excuses."Roberts, part of the new Reform-led council, added: "We will look to see if everything on the site needs to stay for another two years, like fencing."Although Reform's national policy supports fracking, Roberts said: "Fracking has its place, but not everywhere,"He said the geology of sites in Lancashire made subsidence and water contamination a risk.A consultation has opened on Cuadrilla's application. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Belfast Telegraph
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Coleraine sign Isle of Man native with Football League experience: ‘He's young and hungry for success'
Isle of Man native Adam Long has signed for Coleraine. The 24-year-old joins the Bannsiders from National League side Fylde.
BBC News
14-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
College building plan amid construction training boom
A college is planning to build a complex for the large number of construction trainees it has enrolled. Blackpool and Fylde College said there had been a big uptake for its painting and decorating plan comes after the government unveiled £600m of funding in March to train up to 60, 000 more skilled construction Council will decide on the application later this month. A design and access statement for the application said: "The proposed scheme is to provide a new fit for purpose building to house the teaching of construction /painting and decorating skills at the Blackpool and The Fylde College, Bispham Campus."The requirement for this building is due to the high numbers of students enrolling on construction courses this academic year and the forecast for future years."Blackpool and the Fylde College intend to be integral to ensuring the training of young people across the Fylde region accordingly in support of the government targets."Existing facilities provided at the Bispham campus include engineering, construction, heating and ventilation and automotive, amongst many others, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Poulton-le-Fylde post office saved after campaign by residents
Residents are celebrating after their town's post office has been saved from Post Office in Poulton-le-Fylde, was one of 115 branches under threat of closure despite being described as an "essential lifeline".However, following a campaign backed by Fylde MP Andrew Snowden and Poulton county councillor Alf Clempson, the post office will now be taken over by a new franchise partner from said it was a "clear victory" for Poulton and "testament to what we can achieve when the community stands together", following a petition and several protests. He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It is always busy; you never walked past it and don't see people going in and out so it was obvious it was an important local service that we needed the campaign to save it."I'm really grateful to over 2,000 residents in Poulton who have engaged with the campaign."It was really good to see the community absolutely rally round this service."Clempson added: "The town has really come together for this campaign because this building and the services it provides are so important." The campaign is not quite over though, added said he has demanded guarantees with Post Office Ltd that no jobs will be lost in the new said: "I will continue to press the post office to deliver on their promises and ensure that Poulton has a reliable, high-quality service at the heart of the town." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
