Paula Ann Savage recently wrote an article on behalf of LSA for local news website Star and Crescent. You can read the article below:
For more than five years, Let’s Stop AQUIND (LSA) has campaigned tirelessly to bring an end to the proposed AQUIND Interconnector. This project, which would carve a destructive route through Portsmouth and beyond, has raised profound concerns around national security, environmental damage, local disruption and opaque financing. Recent developments, particularly in France, show just how far this campaign has come and why continued vigilance remains essential. Paula Ann Savage, local environmental activist and LSA co-lead, reports.
At the end of October 2025, our French counterparts, Non à AQUIND, visited Portsmouth and other communities along the planned route of the proposed interconnector. Although we may not speak the same language, we speak with one clear and united voice: Aquind must not be allowed to proceed. This visit demonstrated the strength of cross-border opposition and the power of collaboration between communities, campaigners, and elected representatives.
A United Front in Portsmouth
On Friday, 31 October 2025, a series of in-person meetings took place in Portsmouth involving our French colleagues, local campaigners, MPs, councillors, and civic leaders. Present were Portsmouth’s two MPs, Hampshire and Police and Crime Commissioner councillors, and mayors from Normandy, alongside representatives from Non à AQUIND and LSA.
These meetings were significant not only for the solidarity they displayed but also for the crucial updates our French partners were able to share. Six years into their own fight against AQUIND, they brought some extremely encouraging news. AQUIND’s application for a Maritime Concession in France has been refused. The AQUIND Interconnector has been deemed to be of no national interest at both local and national levels in France.
According to our French partners, these decisions mean that the AQUIND Interconnector is, at this point, effectively dead in France. But they were also clear that AQUIND is unlikely to give up easily. As a result, Non à AQUIND will remain vigilant, just as we must here in the UK.
The Situation in England
While the outlook in France appears decisive, the situation in England remains unresolved. Discussions are ongoing between AQUIND Limited, the Ministry of Defence and the UK government. There is currently no clear timeframe for when these discussions will conclude. This reinforces a key lesson learned over the years: this campaign is a marathon, not a sprint.
It is essential to note that in 2022, the AQUIND Interconnector was formally rejected in the UK. That decision was overturned by the High Court in 2023 because of a legal loophole. This experience highlights the critical importance of ensuring that any future refusal is legally watertight. The end of this project is long overdue, and there must be no loopholes this time.
Strong Political Support
One of the most positive outcomes of the recent French visit was the clear and continued support from our elected representatives. Meetings were held with local MPs and separately with the leaders of Portsmouth City Council and Winchester County Council, alongside several councillors.
Following these meetings, Portsmouth MPs Stephen Morgan and Amanda Martin issued a joint statement reaffirming their position: ‘We have long opposed the AQUIND project and continue to do all we can to highlight the case for it to be finally put to bed. We have raised serious national security concerns about the proposed interconnector, alongside concerns about environmental damage, murky financing, and the severe disruption it would cause to people in Portsmouth.
‘We were pleased to meet with our French counterparts and local campaigners today, to hear about developments in France and update them on the work we are doing. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Portsmouth residents and campaigners in making the case for AQUIND to be refused once and for all.’
On the 9th December 2025, LSA gave a deputation to support the motion at full council: to reaffirm its opposition to the Aquind interconnector project. It was a unanimous vote in favour.
The Road Ahead
The recent developments in France represent a major victory for campaigners and a powerful validation of the concerns raised by communities on both sides of the Channel. However, experience has shown that AQUIND will persist for as long as any political or legal opening remains.
A joint letter has recently been sent to yhe Scretary of State and his French counterpart by LSA, Non à AQUINDte at DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and PINS (Planning Inspectorate).
LSA will continue to work closely with our French partners, local communities, and elected representatives to ensure that this project is finally and permanently stopped. Continued public support remains vital. United across borders, we will keep making the case until AQUIND is refused once and for all.
We at LSA always encourage members of the public to write to aquind@planninginspectorate.gov.uk to object to this project.
