Harry Potter fans have helped force a change to the route of a roughly $500 million energy project after concerns that construction would affect the popular tribute site known as “Dobby’s grave.”
The memorial is located at Freshwater West beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales, where scenes involving Dobby were filmed for the Harry Potter movies. Fans from around the world regularly visit the beach and leave tributes to the fictional house elf.
Plans for a 125-mile electricity cable connecting Wales with County Wexford, Ireland, originally had the route passing beneath Freshwater West and through the area associated with the memorial.
Project manager Simon Ludlam said the project received hundreds of calls from Harry Potter fans after details of the planned route became public. Although he initially questioned the attention surrounding a memorial for a fictional character, the response ultimately contributed to the project's decision to avoid the site.
The cable route has now been adjusted so construction can proceed without disturbing the Dobby tribute area.
Freshwater West will therefore remain accessible to Harry Potter fans, although landowners have previously asked visitors not to leave socks, stones, or other objects at the site.