July 17, 2023
England

Wind farm off Yorkshire coast approved despite seabird impact

14 July 2023 | planningresource.co.uk | "Compensation for seabird impact allows for wind farm to be approved"

A proposed wind farm off the Yorkshire coast has been approved, after it was held that impact on marine birdlife could be compensated for.

The proposal for the 180-turbine 100 megawatt facility comprised the fourth wind farm in the same zone and one of a series of wind farms along the east coast of England. The examining authority noted that there would be impact on marine ornithology and a marine special protection area. However, it also noted the weighty benefits of the contribution the wind farm would make towards an urgent need for generation of renewable energy and meeting climate change and net zero targets. These, it held, would otherwise outweigh limited harm to a wide range of matters encompassing landscape, heritage, aviation, onshore ecology, commercial fishing, and construction traffic.

The secretary of state sought further information on the seabirds issue, particularly the effectiveness of compensatory measures involving eradicating rat predation in nesting colonies to boost seabird numbers. He was sufficiently satisfied by the additional evidence to conclude that Habitats Regulations matters did not preclude granting development consent.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2023/07/17/wind-farm-off-yorkshire-coast-approved-despite-seabird-impact/