Navitus Bay windfarm application accepted by planners

The controversial windfarm development will now go to a three-month consultation stage

The Planning Inspectorate has accepted proposals for the construction of a £3bn windfarm off the coast of the Isle of Wight.

Navitus Bay is a joint project between EDF Energy and Eneco, and has been met with much opposition from the leisure boating industry.

The 18,000-page application confirms that there would be 194 offshore turbines erected with a maximum height of 200m.

Now that the application is being officially considered, local residents and interested parties will have just under six weeks (13 May-23 June) to raise any objections before a final decision is made.

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To this end, Bournemouth Borough Council will be holding a meeting on Saturday (10 May) at the BIC.

David Lloyd, of opposition group Challenge Navitus told the Bournemouth Echo: “It’s simply too big and in the wrong place. Inspectors will be concerned only with planning issues.

“Loss of amenity, visual impact, economic effects on local businesses are all valid planning issues.”

For a full report on Navitus Bay and the boating industry’s opposition to the project, pick up next month’s edition of MBM, on sale 15 May.

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