July 5, 2013
England

Cut windfarm impact, says West Sussex County Council

The Argus | 4th July 2013 | www.theargus.co.uk

Off-shore windfarm plans could do more to reduce its impact on communities, accord- ing to a report presented to councillors.

West Sussex County Council’s environment scrutiny committeewill examine the Rampion plan put forward by energy giant E.On at a town hall meeting in Chichester on July 12.

A report to be discussed by councillors suggests the authority gives it “qualified support”.

But it expresses disappointment that the firm has not gone to greater lengths to support those communities affected by the plan.

Concerns have also been raised about the impact that shipping “exclusion zones” near the turbines will have on Shoreham Port and the fishing industry.

The council said because of the huge public interest in the proposal, proceedings will be broad- cast online.

John deMierre, committee chairman, said: “This is one of the biggest planning applications Sussex has seen for many years.”

The proposed off-shorewind farmwould include up to 175 turbines offthe coast of Brighton.

Electricity

The cables would run ashore south of the Brooklands Golf Centre between East Worthing and Lancing where they would travel under the beach, sea defences, the A259 and part of the national cycle route.

They would then continue underground for about 26 kilometres through parts of the South Downs National Park to reach a new sub-station at Bolney, near Haywards Heath.

The project, expected to take four years to complete, would generate enough electricity to meet the needs of 450,000 homes each year.

The council has been invited to submit its comments on the application to the Planning Inspectorate by early August.

The webcast will start at 10.30am on July 12 and can be viewed at their website.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/05/cut-windfarm-impact-says-west-sussex-county-council/