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Campaign group reacts to Rampion 2 consultation extension
Credit: 'Is it too little too late?' - campaigners on extension to windfarm consultation | By Ellie Smitherman, Digital reporter | The Argus | www.theargus.co.uk ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
A campaign group says a consultation extension for a controversial windfarm is a “huge achievement”.
The plans for the Rampion 2 wind farm could see up to 116 turbines 325-metre-tall, the same height as the Eiffel Tower, placed off the West Sussex coast.
A nine-week public consultation on the wind farm was carried out last year and attracted over 12,500 visits, but some residents were unintentionally not included, according to RWE, the company behind the plans.
The Middleton-on-sea Coastal Alliance (Mosca) has now told how the “hard work towards correcting the impact of Rampion’s flawed consultation has paid off”.
Zoe Visram, a member of the group, said: “‘I with others have concentrated to create greater public awareness of the controversial Rampion 2 and of the flawed consultation, so that the many disenfranchised residents and businesses could have a say on an informed bases.
“While we are pleased after many months of repeated pressure Rampion have finally offered to reopen the consultation, the question remains – is it too little too late?’
Mosca complained to numerous Sussex councils, and last week complained to the Planning Inspectorate.
Last Thursday RWE announced the reopening of the public consultation.
Zoe believes the windfarm will negatively impact the surrounding wildlife, environment and tourism.
The existing Rampion 1 combined with the proposed Rampion 2 extension will spread over an area of 342 sq km from Newhaven to Selsey Bill, a distance of almost 37 miles.
Zoe said: “It doesn’t take much imagination to appreciate the visual impact the installation of 116 Turbines up to 325m tall topped by flashing red beacon lights will have for residents and visitors, both from the shoreline and the South Downs National Park.”
Rampion stated that modern turbines can now generate three times the power output of Rampion 1. However Zoe says that placed further out to sea they would generate another 60 per cent more energy and protect the environment.
A spokesman for Rampion said: “Following feedback and after further review, we are aware that some coastal residents did not receive consultation leaflets as intended.
“As this was a commitment from us, we are writing directly to all those addresses which were omitted, to provide an additional opportunity for those individuals to have their say on our draft proposals, by the closing date of April 11.
“The consultation documents that were available between July 14 and September 16 last year have not changed and those who have previously responded to our consultation do not need to resend their response.
“We will consider all responses in progressing our proposals.”
A petition has been launched by the group to block the proposals, to sign visit petition.parliament.uk/petitions and for more information go to www.mosca.click
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