Development Consent Granted for Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Transmission Assets

Hardisty Jones prepared the socio-economic assessment supporting the Development Consent Order application, working closely with RPS Energy and the wider consents teams at bp and Flotation Energy (prior to late stage scheme ownership changes on both projects). The assessment considered the transmission assets’ potential effects on employment, population, and tourism.

We supported the application throughout its examination, preparing further evidence in response to questions and representations concerning the project’s potential tourism effects.

The decision endorsed this work, with the Examining Authority (ExA) finding that the project would have positive socio-economic effects and assigning them positive weight in the planning balance. The Secretary of State agreed, including the assessment of socio-economic effects and human health as having “limited positive weight”.

Outside the overarching need for renewable energy infrastructure (which received substantial positive weight), socio-economic effects were the only topic expressly assigned positive weight in the Secretary of State’s issue-by-issue summary of the planning balance.

Addressing tourism concerns during examination

An important part of our work concerned the potential effects on the Fylde’s visitor economy. Blackpool Borough Council and Fylde Borough Council initially raised objections on tourism grounds, requiring further examination of the evidence and the conclusions presented within the socio-economic assessment.

During the examination, Hardisty Jones prepared additional evidence responding to these concerns. The ExA Recommendation Report confirmed the ExA accepted the conclusion of the Local Tourism Assessment, and by the close of the examination Blackpool Borough Council confirmed that it was content with the conclusions of the assessment. This was a particularly positive outcome following detailed scrutiny of the evidence during examination.

The importance of socio-economic evidence in the DCO process

The decision demonstrates the value of clear, proportionate and robust socio-economic evidence within the Development Consent Order process. It also shows how targeted work during examination can respond to stakeholder concerns, resolve areas of disagreement and provide decision-makers with the evidence needed to reach sound conclusions.

We are delighted that our work contributed to the successful outcome and grateful to Tetra Tech/RPS Energy and the wider consents teams at bp and Floatation for the opportunity to support this nationally significant infrastructure project.

“This was a particularly demanding examination, with significant scrutiny of the project’s potential tourism impacts. I am proud that our team delivered a robust and proportionate assessment that stood up to detailed examination and helped support a successful outcome.” – Josh Harding-Jones, Senior Consultant.

Hardisty Jones has extensive experience preparing socio-economic assessments, economic impact assessments, employment and skills evidence, and tourism assessments for offshore wind, renewable energy and other nationally significant infrastructure projects across the UK. Find out more about our work in the Economic Impact of Low Carbon Energy