July 11, 2012
England, Wales

New Array plans under the spotlight

Andy Keeble | North Devon Gazette | www.northdevongazette.co.u 10 July 2012

A series of public exhibitions on revised plans for the Atlantic Array Offshore Wind Farm will begin on Thursday.

People will have the chance to comment on the new proposal at events taking place in Abbotsham, Barnstaple, Woolacombe, Bideford, Croyde, Alverdiscott and Ilfracombe.

Developer RWE npower renewables has reduced the maximum number of turbines to 278 turbines, compared with 417 turbines in the original blueprint presented to the public at similar exhibitions last year.

The project team has also completed environmental assessments and more detailed engineering work, which, along with feedback from the public consultation, have led to revisions to the development.

Robert Thornhill, project development manager, said: “The aim of the consultation will be to give local people and other stakeholders the opportunity to see the changes we have made to our plans and give them the chance to comment on them.

”Members of our team will be on hand at the exhibitions to answer questions about the project and provide information about the local economic benefits and employment opportunities that could arise.

“We will have 3D models and photomontages to give people a good idea of what Atlantic Array would look like.”

An area to the north of Lundy called Stanley Bank has been identified as the preferred location for the development.

RWE say they still aimed to produce a 1,500 MW wind farm but the new proposal would reduce the horizontal spread and density of the scheme and its impact on the seascape.

A period of consultation will end at 5pm on August 31.

Have your say

Thursday, July 12: Old School House, Abbotsham, 12pm – 8pm

Friday, July 13: The Castle Centre, Barnstaple, 12pm – 8pm

Saturday, July 14: Woolacombe Village Hall, 11am – 5pm

Sunday, July 15: Bideford College, 11am – 5pm

Tuesday, July 17: Croyde Village Hall, 12pm – 8pm

Friday, July 20: Alverdiscott Village Hall, 12pm – 8pm

Saturday, July 21: Lantern Centre, Ilfracombe, 11am – 5pm

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/07/11/new-array-plans-under-the-spotlight/