Dibden rejected

Associated British Ports (ABP) proposed to build a 1.85 kilometre long, six berth deep water quay at Dibden Bay covering some 240 hectares of the site and taking some 76 hectares of intertidal foreshore, some of it designated as of international conservation importance, to provide new container terminal facilities.

Commenting on the decision, McNulty said: “The Government fully recognises the nation’s and industry’s needs for additional container port capacity in order to meet future economic demand, but every proposed port development must be justified on its own merits. One important factor in the making of this decision was the environmental impact of the proposals on internationally protected sites. After carefully considering all the arguments and impacts I have concluded that, overall, the scheme should not go ahead.” ABP has confirmed it will write off the $45m of capital costs incurred in the approval process.

The decision has been greeted with varied reactions from environmental and transport groups. Friends of the Earth welcomed the decision but, in line with what PS hasbeen advocating in recent issues, called for a national ports strategy to take account of other proposed container port developments at Bathside Bay (whose public enquiry has just opened), Felixstowe South and London Gateway, site of the former Shellhaven terminal.