| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Navitus Bay wind farm could hit Bournemouth economy
Credit: Wind farm 'could cost 2,000 jobs' | BBC News | 8 October 2014 | www.bbc.co.uk ~~
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Translate: FROM English | TO English
A proposed wind farm off the South Coast could damage Bournemouth’s economy by £100m a year and put 2,000 jobs at risk, a new report claims.
The Navitus Bay wind farm off Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight would comprise 194 turbines up to 200m (650ft) high.
The Bournemouth Borough Council report looked at how the changed views across Poole Bay would affect tourism.
An estimated six million people visit the coastal town each year.
The report, submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, said many of the visitors were likely to go elsewhere after a survey suggested 91% rated the views out to sea and along the coast as “four or five on a five point scale” of importance.
It said losing or damaging the view would have “dire consequences” for tourism and the wider economy in Bournemouth.
‘Vast scale’
Tourism is worth an estimated £501m a year to the local economy. The report found that even a small downturn in income would tip many local businesses into the red and result in thousands of job losses.
Council leader John Beesley said: “All the evidence indicates that this wind farm will damage local businesses and lead to job losses.
“Because of this, we vehemently oppose the vast scale and location of Navitus Bay’s wind farm.”
Last week Christchurch borough councillors voted unanimously against the planning application by Navitus Bay.
The plans have also been opposed by the National Trust, while Unesco has said it could affect the Jurassic Coast’s World Heritage status.
The Planning Inspectorate is expected to complete its examination of the proposals in March 2015 before a decision is made.
The BBC has contacted Navitus Bay for a comment but is yet to receive a response.
This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.
The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.
| Wind Watch relies entirely on User Contributions |
 (via Stripe) |
 (via Paypal) |
Share:
[ Short URL: https://wind-watch.org/news/?p=67213 ]
