THE wind farm proposed for the Dorset coast will be moved further from the shore and will have fewer turbines, it has been revealed today.

Navitus Bay said that the changes, which were a “direct result” of discussion with statutory consultees and communities, would reduce the farm’s visiual impact.

It said the park would now be 12 miles away from Bournemouth, rather than 10, and the maximum number of turbines would be 218, rather than 333.

Maximum height will now be 200m, not 210m.

The total area of the seabed that will be used reduces from 198sqkm to 175sqkm.

Navitus added that the changes would reduce the park’s capacity from 1200MW to 1100MW.

Mike Unsworth, project director for Navitus Bay Development Limited, said: “We have moved the site significantly further from the coast, reducing the potential visual and navigational impact of the Wind Park. In addition, we have reduced the maximum number of turbines in the proposal and reduced the height of the tallest turbine.

“We feel that these significant adjustments to the plans strike a good balance between responses that we have had from consultees and the technical viability from an environmental, engineering, shipping and commercial perspective. The changes demonstrate that Navitus Bay is fully engaged in the debate and willing to listen.”

Keith Moss, Deputy Project Director at Navitus Bay, added: “Listening and acting on the feedback that we receive has always been important in informing our plans for the Wind Park. The changes announced today underline our commitment to genuine consultation. We are now looking forward to discussing the updated project with the community at our next round of consultation events in February.”

Huub den Rooijen, Head of Offshore Wind at landowners The Crown Estate, said: “The Crown Estate awarded Navitus Bay Development Limited the rights to develop the potential offshore wind resources to the west of the Isle of Wight. As a core part of this they are engaging with local and national stakeholders to understand the impacts of the project. This is a key part of the Government’s statutory planning permission which must be granted before construction starts. Feedback gained to date has clearly fed into their plans for the project, demonstrating their sensitivity to the local area.”

A series of public consultation events will take place across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in February 2013. The exhibitions will display new and improved visualisations as well as an interactive 3D model of the site and onshore cable route.