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Advice to Roger Teugels

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Enquiry

From
Roger Teugels
Date advice given
11 April 2013
Enquiry type
Email

I would like to register my concern about the proposed Navitus Bay wind farm project near the Isle of Wight. I am not opposed to wind farms in general, nor to the need for renewable energy resources. Neither am I being a NIMBY. It just seems to me that if ever there is a wrong place for a wind far, this is it. Surely on what is one of the most popularly visited coasts in the UK, when you look out from the cliff top, you expect to see the sea and not hundreds of propellers. It's a seascape and horizon that should be preserved because it is an irreplaceable asset.

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'.