Gas terminals permissions probed by Human Rights Court

The European Court of Human Rights has intervened in the long-running saga over the risk assessments carried out before planning permissions were granted for two new major liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals now operating at Milford Haven in South West Wales.

The court has formally asked the UK Government to explain which official bodies assessed the risks and advised the planning authorities, and whether those involved “properly assessed the risk and consequences of a collision of LNG vessels or other escape of LNG from a vessel in Milford Haven harbour or while berthed at the jetty”.

Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority approved the South Hook and Dragon terminal projects in 2003 and 2004.

Local campaigners, worried about the safety of the shipments and the terminals themselves, have so far failed in a series of legal challenges in the UK. They have now taken their case to the European Court of Human Rights.

The court has now written to the administration for a response by February 2010.The ECHR has explained that it wants to know if the relevant information on the “nature and extent of the risk posed by the hazardous industrial activities” was disclosed to the public..

 

Roger Milne

26 November 2009