Port Terminal Proposal Rejected

Transport Minister Tony McNulty accepted the recommendation of the Dibden Bay Inquiry Inspector to turn down proposals for a new container terminal on Southampton Water. This decision was based on the individual merits of this application.

Associated British Ports proposed to build a 1.85 kmlong, six berth deep water quay at Dibden Bay covering some 240 hectares of the site, known as the Dibden Reclaim, 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, Tony McNulty said:

"The Government fully recognizes 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."