Have your say on the proposed wind farm development for the south coast

The public will soon have their last chance to respond to a major wind farm proposal for the south coast of England.

Navitus Bay Development Ltd has announced dates for its final planned
round of public exhibitions as part of its pre-application public
consultation.

Submission of its consent application is expected to be in
early 2014.


There will be an opportunity to speak to the Navitus Bay project team at
the public exhibitions and contribute your feedback on the proposals.

Mike Unsworth, Project Director of Navitus Bay, said: ‘Although there is a great deal of support for Navitus Bay in the
local area, we appreciate that there are also some concerns.

‘We are
committed to an ongoing, open and honest dialogue with local communities
and while this is the final planned round of public exhibitions prior
to our consent application, there will be ongoing opportunities for the
public to feedback their views on our proposals.’

Opposition group

Challenge Navitus and Poole, Christchurch
Bay Residents’ Associations and yacht and sailing clubs along the south coast are urging the public to turn out in record numbers to register any concerns about this proposed wind farm.

Campaigners say it will be bigger than Manchester, starting just 8.6 miles off
the Needles and Swanage.


Andrew Langley of Challenge Navitus said: ‘People attending briefings and
exhibitions should be cautious about what they see and are told.

‘We strongly
recommend that people check the visualisations on www.ChallengeNavitus.org.uk
to get an accurate perception of the scale and proximity of this massive
proposal.




‘It’s vital that everyone
registers their individual opposition by emailing or writing to the developer
and copying their letters to their MP and county councillor.’


Eight locations


The exhibitions, all of which are open to the public, will take place at
eight locations in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight during
September.

These exhibitions form part of Navitus Bay’s Phase Four
public consultation which runs from 2 September to 11 October 2013.


By attending the exhibitions, members of the public will be able to talk
to the project team about the latest updates to the proposed project
design as well as picking up consultation materials and viewing an
interactive 3D model of the proposed wind park.


Almost 2,000 people attended the last round of consultation events.


Submit your views


From 2 September consultation materials will be available from local libraries or downloaded from the Navitus Bay website where an online comments form will also be provided.


You should submit a written response to the consultation if there is
anything you wish to be considered when this application is submitted
for examination.


The Royal Yachting Association has been kept up to date with the proposals for this wind farm through
meetings with the developer and has pledged to respond to any consultations to
ensure navigational safety remains paramount during the process.


To read about the RYA’s concerns relating to Navitus Bay click here.

Public events: Venues and times


Christchurch: 12 September, 2pm – 8pm


Captain’s Club Hotel, Waterside Suite, Wick Ferry, Wick Lane, Christchurch, BH23 1HU


Lymington: 13 September, 2pm – 8pm


Lymington Community Centre, Fuller/Mclellan Hall, New Street, Lymington, SO41 9BQ


Isle of Wight: 14 September, 10am – 4pm


Medina Leisure Centre, Sports Hall, Fairlee Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2DX


Swanage: 17 September, 2pm – 8pm


St Edwards Church Hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage, BH19 1AH


Poole: 18 September, 2pm – 8pm


The Lighthouse, Function Room 1, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, BH15 1UG


West Moors: 19 September, 2pm – 8pm


West Moors Memorial Hall, 231 Station Road, West Moors, BH22 0HS


New Milton: 20 September, 2pm – 8pm


New Milton Community Centre, Osborne Road, New Milton, BH25 6EA


Bournemouth: 21 September, 10am – 4pm


Bournemouth International Centre, Bourne Lounge, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH

Pictures show: Prinses Amalia Offshore Wind Park in the Netherlands and the proposed onshore and offshore development area of the Navitus Bay Wind Park