The number of turbines in the Navitus Bay windfarm could be halved under new proposals by the site’s developers
Navitus Bay windfarm could be halved in size under new plans submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by developers last week (6 November).
The controversial offshore project has drawn a record number of objections, with local authorities claiming it will tarnish the views from the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site.
Now it seems that the developers Navitus Bay Ltd. have scaled back their plans, with an alternative proposal submitted to the examining panel.
Under the new proposal 105 turbines would be built, which is 89 fewer than the original plans for 194 turbines, reducing the windfarm’s overall output from 970MW to 630MW.
What’s more, the new proposal would see no turbines built within 11 miles of the coast, bringing it in line with the government’s recommended minimum distance.
However, local MP Conor Burns described the move as a ”con” and campaign group Challenge Navitus has branded these plans “a cynical ploy to try and get an amended plan in through the back door” as the revised plans will not be subject to a public consultation.
Speaking to the Bournemouth Echo, campaigner David Lloyd said: “It should be a new application and not ‘tacked onto’ the existing examination as an option.
“Navitus Bay should therefore withdraw its current application before embarking on this new project.”
