Advice to R and Mrs T M Smith
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- From
- R and Mrs T M Smith
- Date advice given
- 11 April 2013
- Enquiry type
We wish to strongly object to the proposed Navitus Bay Windfarm, the vast off-shore windfarm planned for the Dorset coast, for the reasons outlined below:
What is currently planned is much bigger than any operating offshore windfarm anywhere in the world ? and would probably not be allowed in any other country. For example, the Dutch government planned windfarms are more than 24km from the coast (compared with 13km), and the German government, more than 30km ? and at these greater distances, the turbines have much less visual impact.
The area for this is poorly chosen in a region of great natural beauty, the proposed shape of the windfarm does not minimize its visual effect, and its scale is too large. It also lies in an area of intense marine activity and high tourist attraction.
These 100?s of turbines will, if this plan goes ahead, be overlooked by two Areas of Outstanding Beauty and a National Park ? and will also be close to England?s only natural World Heritage site.
Dorset?s and East Devon?s majestic Jurassic Coast is the only natural UNESCO world heritage site in England. That status was granted 10 years ago, in recognition of a coastline, which UNESCO describes as being of ?outstanding universal value.? This rating would be at risk if this plan is allowed to proceed.
Surely the government should put an exclusion zone around World Heritage Sites that stops development being undertaken within a certain area. This is already being done in France around World Heritage Sites and areas of outstanding natural beauty.
After the beauty and seclusion of Mont Saint Michel in France was threatened by the possibility of just three wind turbines 20 kilometres away, UNESCO considered rescinding its world heritage site designation. The French electricity firm involved quickly backed down, leaving Mont Saint Michel undisturbed, surrounded by a permanent, 40 by 80 kilometre exclusion zone.
The area here in Dorset is a prized designation, and is a magnet for 16 million day visitors every year. Tourists spend nearly £700 million a year in the area and support more than 45,000 jobs. These turbines will have an unacceptable visual impact from the coast ? and this will lead to an impact on the tourism industry.
If this planned windfarm goes ahead we will look back in the future and be disgusted at what we let happen!
In addition, the proximity of Navitus Bay to our shoreline contradicts the Government?s own guidelines, which suggest that such developments should be more than 23 kilometres from the coast. The vast majority of the Navitus Bay wind farm is inside that limit, with the closest point a mere 14.3km off shore. This means that anyone looking out to sea along the 85 miles of coastline from Portland to Ventnor would have an uninterrupted view of turbines.
The truth is that Navitus Bay will be too big and too close.
Ironically, our commitment to green targets may destroy some of our most valuable natural assets. The potential effect of these giant turbines on the environment is catastrophic. South Dorset's limestone clifftops are ?touch down? for to countless birds, on the major migratory route to and from the Cherbourg peninsula. Scientific studies of possible avian mortality rates are so far incomplete but suspected to be high.
Noise pollution, flicker, vibration, rain shadows and radar shadow are just a few more of the turbine fans? unwelcome environmental effects.
Why so many sacrifices for a hugely inefficient system that is useless if there is too much or too little wind? We hope that the National Trust are also voicing their objections to this proposal which we feel would be disastrous for this whole area.
Advice given
As no formal application has yet been made to The Planning Inspectorate by the developer, the Navitus Bay Offshore Wind Farm scheme is at its 'Pre-Application' stage. Please note that the developer is expected to submit its application in Quarter 1 of 2014.
Until the application is submitted, your first point of contact should be the developer. Taking part by commenting at this stage does not prejudice your ability to make comments to the Planning Inspectorate on the scheme later in the process. Therefore you should inform the developer about your concerns as soon as possible and allow time for a response. As such, I recommend that you refer to the developer's website for information about how to contact them with feedback (link to Developer's website: http://www.navitusbaywindpark.co.uk/).
Should the application be formally submitted, the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State has a 28 day period to determine whether to accept the application to progress to Examination. If the application progresses to Examination, the process then asks people to register as an ?Interested Party? with the Planning Inspectorate by sending us a 'Relevant Representation' about the proposal. This Representation will be considered by the appointed Examining Authority during the Examination period.
The Planning Inspectorate has produced several advice notes to help provide an overview of the Planning Act 2008 process and the opportunities to get involved. These are available at the following link: http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/legislation-and-advice/advice-notes/ . In this instance I recommend the advice note eight series - 'How to get involved in the planning process'.