Harry Potter fans have apparently proved that even a fictional grave can complicate a real-world construction project.

Developers of a roughly $580 million undersea power cable connecting the United Kingdom and Ireland changed its route after fans complained that construction would disturb the makeshift “grave” of Dobby, the house elf from the Harry Potter series.

The memorial is at Freshwater West beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales, where Dobby was laid to rest in the film “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Fans have since created an unofficial memorial, leaving stones bearing messages such as “Here Lies Dobby.”

The National Trust, which owns the beach, has asked visitors not to leave objects because the area is environmentally sensitive.

The 125-mile Greenlink interconnector, which connects the British and Irish electricity grids, was originally planned to go underground through the area of the Dobby memorial.

Project manager Simon Ludlam told the Energy Revolution podcast that the problem surfaced after he appeared in a BBC interview showing where the cable would come ashore. After the report aired, the company received hundreds of calls from Harry Potter fans concerned about the fictional character’s resting place.

Ludlam, who was unfamiliar with Dobby, initially struggled to understand the controversy. Project officials ultimately took the objections seriously and brought in planners to develop a route avoiding the memorial.

That created an unusual contrast with the area’s genuine history.

The relocated cable passes near actual Bronze Age remains, including burial urns containing or associated with human remains, although project officials said those archaeological sites were also avoided.

The Greenlink project is designed to allow electricity to flow between Britain and Ireland, improving energy security and helping the countries make greater use of renewable power.

Source: The Guardian