July 10, 2013
England

Forum hears latest plans for Navitus Bay project

By James Tourgout | Dorset Echo | 9th July 2013 | www.dorsetecho.co.uk

Outdoors lovers heard of the latest plans for a giant windfarm off the Dorset coast.

About 75 people attended the Dorset Coast Forum (DCF) seminar about the Navitus Bay Wind Park development.

The plans propose to install up to 218 offshore wind turbines off in a stretch of sea from Purbeck to the Isle of Wight.

DCF chairman Bob Huggins said: “The aim of the meeting was to offer the DCF membership the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the wind park in order to develop a clear understanding of what is being proposed.”

The seminar was held at the Lighthouse Theatre in Poole.

It gave delegates a chance to consider themes relating to the development in relation to the Dorset coast and its coastal waters, enabling members to develop a more informed view on the proposed development.

Navitus Bay Development Ltd provided their latest information on the Wind Park to members.

Stuart Grant, project manager with NBD Ltd, also presented the company’s visualisations of the proposed wind park.

The meeting also brought in experts from Scotland, who provided information on visualisation techniques for offshore windfarm developments.

DCF co-ordinator Bridget Betts said: “There has been some excellent feedback with delegates appreciating the range of speakers, especially those from other areas of the UK that already have experience in offshore windfarm develop-ment.”

The forum team, hosted by Dorset County Council, will produce notes from the meeting and these together with some of the presentations will be available on the Dorset Coast Forum website at dorsetcoast.com

The Navitus Bay scheme is a joint venture between Dutch firm Eneco and French energy company EDF.

It is about nine miles from Swanage and could include as many as 218 turbines towering as high as 200m.

Some groups have come out in support of the project while others worry it could harm tourism.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/10/forum-hears-latest-plans-for-navitus-bay-project/