Alderney Planning law change could allow controversial electricity cable

Proposed changes to laws protecting Alderney’s Green Belt could clear the way for the installation of the controversial electricity cable, known as 'FAB Link.'

Currently, all building in the area – which includes much of Longis, where the electrical interconnector could come ashore – is prohibited under Section 12 of the Building and Development Control Law.

The very small number of exceptions includes work carried out by a handful of public utilities, such as Alderney Electricity.

The law, as it stands, prevents the FAB project team from submitting a planning application for the cable.

The Building and Development Control Committee (BDDC) has submitted an amendment to the building law, covering five changes to the existing legislation.

They include making a new exemption to Section 12, which would permit the BDDC to approve a development in the Designated Area, on the grounds that it was of “strategic and long term benefit” to the island.

Submitting the amendment, Matt Birmingham, chairman of the BDCC, said in view of the “significance and importance” of the aforementioned law change, it would go out for public consultation.