Our campaign dramatically raised concerns
29 April 2013 | www.iomtoday.co.im
Our Don’t Cut us Off campaign against over-intensive offshore windfarm development has ‘effectively and dramatically’ highlighted public concerns on the issue.
That’s the view of House of Keys Speaker Steve Rodan who says he is pleased that very real concerns about the impact on shipping routes are being taken seriously by developer Celtic Array.
Celtic Array has written to Mr Rodan to update him on its plans for windfarm in the north east potential development area of the Irish Sea zone.
It announced earlier this year that it had put its plans on hold, pending further consultation. This followed widespread criticism that a windfarm in the north east zone could cut right across the Steam Packet’s Liverpool and Heysham routes,leading to longer crossing times, and the likelihood of more delays and cancellations.
Our Don’t Cut us Off campaign saw no fewer than 1,265 petition forms being signed by readers.
In recognition of this, Celtic Array pledged to include responses in its consultation report produced as part of the planning process for its proposed Rhiannon windfarm, located in the south east of the Irish Sea zone.
Mr Rodan, in his reply to Celtic Array’s head of development Laura Jeffs, said our campaign had ‘so effectively and dramatically highlighted the concerns of the Manx public on this issue’.
He said the Manx government, the Steam Packet, Chamber of Commerce and the public were very worried about the cumulative effects of the windfarms, which could ‘seriously interfere with out vital lifeline shipping lanes’. Mr Rodan has lobbied MP and Ministers in the UK.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/29/our-campaign-dramatically-raised-concerns/