Last calls for feedback on sub-sea cable factory consultations at Port of Tyne

PEOPLE across South Tyneside and the wider North East are invited to have their final say on a planned £923m investment in Port of Tyne which would see a massive sub-sea cabling factory constructed.

With barely a week to go until the consultation on proposals for a sub-sea and onshore underground transmission cables facility at the Port of Tyne closes, the public are being reminded how they can share their views, as the project team provides answers to questions from the consultation so far. 

News of the ambitious plans were announced last month when Mayor of the North East, Kim McGuinness and Port of Tyne chief executive, Matt Beeton, (pictured), took reporters and photographers of the site which will be one of the few places in the world capable of creating these vital pieces of renewable energy infrastructure.

At the centre of the plans is a 202-metre tall tower – almost four times the size of Nelson’s Column and twice the size of Big Ben – which Mayor McGuiness said would become an iconic sight on the Tyneside skyline, reminding people of the outsize contribution the North East intends to play in the world’s green transition.

Following two consultation events on the plans, held in South and North Tyneside, only a few days are now left to provide feedback until the consultation closes at midnight on Wednesday, June 18th.

The developers want to hear about any concerns, observations, or suggestions regarding the building of the facility so they can ensure that the public’s views are taken into account before construction begins.

To provide feedback, the public can visit the project’s website, at www.lseac-southtyneside.com to read about the proposals and provide their feedback directly through the online form. The public can also write to the project’s freepost address, ‘Subsea Cable Project Consultation Feedback’

Sangdon Lee, Director at LS Eco Advanced Cables Ltd, which is leading the proposed development, said:  “We are grateful for the engagement so far from local communities but want to make sure we gather as much feedback as possible.  

“That’s why we’re calling on anyone who would like to share their views on the project to do so. Your feedback provides us with valuable information and could help shape the project ahead of any final application.” 

Having held the two public consultation events, the project team are now re-sharing answers to frequently asked questions which have arisen since the consultation began, to help the public provide their feedback.

The most frequently asked questions and their answers are:

What are the benefits of this project to the local area? 

It would have a significant impact on the local economy, creating 500 direct jobs and many more across the wider supply chain. The Port of Tyne, along with other major organisations in the area, will work with schools, colleges and universities in the region to bridge the skills gap and keep jobs local. 

What are sub-sea cables used for? 

Sub-sea cables are used to transfer energy underground or across the seabed – helping avoid the need for overhead powerlines – they are vital to the UK’s future energy security. The cables will be critical for transferring clean energy from renewable power sources such as offshore wind back to land, or for transferring clean energy between countries. 

Why does the facility need to build a 202m-tall tower? 

The tower would provide space to stretch the cables, winding them up and down multiple times inside the building. It would use gravity to apply protective sheaths, ensuring they are robust under the weight of the ocean when installed on the seabed. 

Will the facility’s development and running impact people’s day-to-day life? 

LSEAC are taking all reasonable steps to ensure the facility does not impact people’s day-to-day lives. For instance, the project will bring materials in part into the Port through waterways; utilising ship paths to get materials to the construction site with minimal passing noise and congestion caused. As well, the facility would be within the Port, with the closest residential housing to this site 750m away – helping reduce any noise pollution during construction. 

How long would construction take? 

If the proposed project secures planning permission, the construction phase, with on-site works is expected to span up to three years. 

The facility, proposed by LSEAC, would feature a state-of-the-art facility to manufacture deep-sea cables built on a currently vacant site at the Port of Tyne. The facility would include a series of buildings, including a manufacturing space, testing facilities and office space, all situated around a 202m-tall tower where the cables are stretched and sheathed before use.

Once the consultation ends, LSEAC will analyse the feedback ahead of a final application submission to South Tyneside Council, set for later this year.