Representation by Mole Valley District Council (Mole Valley District Council)
- Date submitted
- 30 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
1.0 Introduction 1.1 Mole Valley District Council (MVDC, or ‘the Council’) acknowledges the Secretary of State’s decision (7 September 2023) to accept for examination the application for the Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm (Ref: EN010117), made by Rampion Extension Development Limited (RED, ‘the Applicant’) for a Development Consent Order (DCO). The Council requests that it is registered as an Interested Party (IP) for this process. 1.2 This Relevant Representation (‘Representation’) sets out a summary of the Council’s views on the submitted application. 2.0 Position and Comments 2.1 The Council is supportive of innovative and sustainable schemes that contribute to the energy production for the region and limit/avoid environmental impact. As such, while MVDC is not raising any material objections, and recognises the environmental benefits of the project, it is keen to ensure that these benefits are balanced against any adverse impacts of the construction and operation of the proposed wind farm. To address this important matter the following points will need to be suitably explored and any issues addressed through the examination process: • The Seascape, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (SLVIA) (APP-056), needs to be properly scrutinised to ensure that all of the correct viewpoint locations have been included in the assessment of ‘out to sea’ visual impacts, including the size and layout of the offshore wind turbines. Any additional viewpoints should be identified, where necessary, and additional assessment carried out. Any cumulative visual impacts with Rampion 1 should be considered within this context. • While the majority of the development is offshore, the cabling and construction phase will be onshore and any adverse impacts and mitigation on ecological receptors, including key species and habitats need to be scrutinised. It is noted that the chosen cabling route has been chosen to try and avoid both natural and historic impacts (APP-193, APP-063, APP-180 and APP-232). However, the Council’s view that more detail regarding how biodiversity net gains will be achieved and the type of ecological enhancements that will be delivered is needed. There could be a number of opportunities outside of the cabling route and offshore development area that should be explored. • While the public perception of renewable and sustainable infrastructure is changing, visual changes to onshore and offshore landscapes can influence tourism habits and visitor economies, thereby influencing visitor numbers and socio-economic return. The Environmental Statement - Volume 2: Chapter 17 - Socioeconomics (APP-058) does not currently appear to explore the impacts/benefits on tourism to the extent that would be expected and should be further considered by the ExA and additional information requested from RED as necessary. 3.0 Conclusion 3.1 The Council does not principally object to the Application but considers it prudent for visual, ecological and socioeconomic impacts to be properly explored and scrutinised during the examination to ensure the best outcomes of the scheme.