The Proposed Development

Point of Ayr Cable Route Foreshore Works Proposed Development

The Point of Ayr Cable Route Foreshore Works Proposed Development (“the Proposed Development”) comprises the installation of an underground section of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) conduit under Gronant Dunes originating from the HDD Entry Pit [consented under FUL/000246/23] to a buried HDD Exit Pit at the Mean High Water Spring (MHWS) line, and burial of a combined electrical and fibre-optic cable on a new alignment across Talacre Beach and Foreshore to the Mean Low Water Spring (MLWS) line, located to the north-west of the PoA Terminal. 

Realigned route

The Marine element of the Consented Development includes installation of electrical and fibre-optic cables from the MHWS line to the New Douglas Offshore Platform (OP) for which consent has been secured on 22 May 2025 under a Marine Licence (ML) application [CML2365] submitted to Natural Resources Wales’ (NWS) Marine Licencing Team.

We received stakeholder feedback on the original ML application to avoid impacts on vessel movements in and out of the Port of Mostyn. In response, we are proposing a realignment of the combined electrical and fibre-optic cable. As the proposed realignment lies outside of the planning application area which was approved under planning permission FUL/000246/23, we are seeking consent for the new cable alignment from FCC through the submission of a new Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) 1990 (as amended) application.

The new TCPA application will seek re-authorisation of the same works already consented under application FUL/000246/23, but on a new alignment that is approximately 250m further east along Talacre Beach.

Components

The components of the Proposed Development and associated construction activities are:

• Construction of part of a cable conduit under the Gronant Dunes using a trenchless HDD method of installation.
• An HDD Exit Pit accompanied by the installation of a temporary steel container - known as a sump – that will capture any drilling fluid emitted from the drilling process. This will be approximately 3m below beach level, roughly 3m x 3m in width and length and will have a capacity of 10m³. Reinstatement of the HDD Exit Pit beach area on completion.
• The installation of a combined electrical and fibre-optic cable within the HDD conduit.
• The simultaneous lay and burial of the cable across Talacre Beach and Foreshore is from the HDD Exit Pit to the MLWS line. The cables have a target burial depth of 2.5m.

There are no other above or below ground structures proposed as part of the Proposed Development. The construction and operation of the cables beyond the MLWS line through the marine environment is covered by a separate ML [CML2365].

Benefits

The new cable alignment offers several advantages compared with the previous alignment, including:

1. Minimised ecological impact: the realignment has a slightly smaller seabed footprint in the inter-tidal and sub-tidal areas, due to a more direct, straight route.
2. Environmental advantages: the realigned cable laying, construction plant, equipment area and the repositioning of the HDD Exit Pit will be an additional 250m away from the Little Tern colony at Gronant Dunes, further reducing potential disturbance during the breeding season. The cable will also be routed through an area with lower Tern foraging distribution and activity (<1.5%).
3. Regulatory compliance: the realignment remains compliant with the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) and Water Framework Directive (WFD), with no additional adverse effects on designated sites or water quality.
4. Improved stakeholder coordination and reduced disturbance to Port of Mostyn: the realignment decreases impact on channel traffic as fewer support vessel movements are required due to the reduced complexity of anchor movements. There will also be collaborative planning in place to avoid conflicts with port operations.
5. Operational efficiencies: the simpler cable installation and faster lay operation across the channel avoids complicated and time-consuming manoeuvre of the Cable Laying Vessel (CLV) on anchors within the Welsh Channel. Vessel time in the channel will also be reduced due to shorter pull operation.

You can provide your feedback on the Proposed Development or contact us with any enquiries by:

• Sending an email to: hello@hynethub.co.uk
• Writing a letter to: Freepost LBCCS. You don’t need a stamp.