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Advice to Arthur and Shirley Rogers

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Enquiry

From
Arthur and Shirley Rogers
Date advice given
15 April 2013
Enquiry type
Post

Mr. and Mrs A and R Rogers raised a number of objections in their correspondence. The following is a summary of the main concerns raised:

  1. The proposed turbines will (i) stand 200 metres tall at a distance of 8.6 miles from the nearest land (ii) an obstruction to shipping (iii) a hazard to bird life (iv) reduce the fishing grounds (v) be made from non-recyclable, imported, expensive, non-durable and difficult to maintain materials, (vi) be an inefficient way to produce electricity as they are turned off in high winds and electricity cannot be stored (vii) ruin the outstanding views and tourism in the area

Advice given

Thank you for your correspondence dated 26 March 2013 addressed to Ed Davey MP regarding the Navitus Bay Wind Park proposal. Your correspondence has since been copied to the Planning Inspectorate by Ed Davey MP as the Planning Inspectorate is responsible for operating the process by which a recommendation will be issued to the relevant Secretary of State on whether to consent a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

The Navitus Bay Wind Park project has been deemed an NSIP and therefore will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate under the Planning Act 2008 consenting regime. As no formal application has yet been submitted by the developer the proposed Navitus Bay Wind Park project is currently at its ?Pre-Application? stage. The developer is expected to submit the application to the Planning Inspectorate in Quarter 1 of 2014. Until the application is submitted your first point of contact should be with the developer. Responding to the developer?s pre-application consultation is the best time to influence a project, whether you agree with it, disagree with it or believe it could be improved. Should an application then be made to the Planning Inspectorate, the developer will be required to explain how it has taken account of comments received during their consultation. I would therefore strongly encourage you to forward your comments to the developer, Navitus Bay Development Limited, as soon as possible. As such, I recommended that you refer to the developer?s website for information on how to contact them with feedback (link to developer?s website: http://www.navitusbaywindpark.co.uk/). Participating at this stage does not prejudice your ability to make comments on the proposed scheme to the Planning Inspectorate later in the process.

Should an application be formally submitted, the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State has a 28-day period to determine whether all the correct application documents have been submitted and whether the consultation requirements have been carried out in accordance with the Planning Act 2008. If the application is accepted to progress to the Examination stage, the legislation then provides individuals with the opportunity to register with the Planning Inspectorate as an 'Interested Party' by sending us a 'Relevant Representation' about the proposal. This representation will be considered by the appointed Examining Authority during the Examination period. It is advised that you register as an ?Interested Party? at the Examination stage. Once you have registered as an Interested Party the Planning Inspectorate will issue you with a timetable for the Examination period and will endeavour to keep you informed of any updates regarding the proposed project. The National Infrastructure project page is regularly updated with advice on how and when individuals can register to become Interested Parties: http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/south-east/navitus-bay-wind-park-formerly-isle-of-wight

The Planning Inspectorate has also produced several advice notes to help provide an overview of the Planning Act 2008 process and the opportunities to get involved. They 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.