VIDEO: Residents have say on Dorset's new wind farm plans (From Bournemouth Echo)

VIDEO: Residents have say on Dorset's new wind farm plans

1:00pm Monday 4th February 2013 in News By Katie Clark

RESIDENTS took their latest chance to find out more about the controversial wind farm proposed for the Dorset coast.

Meetings organised by Navitus Bay Development Ltd have seen hundreds of residents walk through the doors, keen to have their say on the plans.

The latest event took place at the BIC in Bournemouth on Saturday with new images and an interactive 3D model, which depicts what the wind farm will look from various points along the coast from Lymington to Durlston.

The images, which show the scaled back plans, have been key to the latest round of consultation, following criticism of the previous images.

Mike Unsworth, NBDL project director said: “It’s been a positive exercise so far.

“I think people have welcomed the level of information and the quality of the images we have provided.

“The 3D model has also been popular.

“The main thing people have been asking is about the visual impact, which is obviously the important thing to them.

“We have changed the project last December and moved it further out.

“We want people to come and take a first look at the new plans and take an objective viewpoint and give us the feedback.

“That’s what this is all about.”

Opposition group Challenge Navitus were also present at the BIC for the event.

Volunteer Mike Owen said: “Our role is to provide information to the public. There has been a mixed reaction today from people.

“We just want people to be aware of the full facts and well informed of both sides of the equation.

“We are here to help people.”

Challenge Navitus have described the change to the plans as ‘minor’ and say it is ‘unusually close’ for such a big development.

More than 200 people attended the consultation event at West Moors on Friday with more than 150 people viewing the plans at the BIC on Saturday.

More meetings

• RNLI Lifeboat College, Poole, Wednesday February 6, 2pm-8pm.
• New Milton Community Centre, Thursday February 7, 2pm-8pm.
• Lymington Community Centre, Friday February 8, 2pm-8pm.
• Cowes Yacht Haven, Isle of Wight, Saturday February 9, 10am-4pm
• Christchurch council, Tuesday February 12, 2pm-8pm
• St Edwards Church Hall, Swanage, Wednesday February 13, 2pm-8pm.

What visitors had to say

• Kevin Rideout, from Bournemouth, said: “It’s the way to go forward and everyone should be in favour of renewable energy in principle.”
• Eileen Rideout, also from Bournemouth, said: “I personally can’t see how it is going to be that obtrusive. Some of the criticisms have been scaremongering but from the visuals it’s not as close as I thought it would be.”
• Stephen Murphy-Sullivan, from Bournemouth, said: “The impact looks less than I thought. It is reassuring from the images.”
• Valerie Pound, retired, from Bournemouth said: “I think it’s stupid. We are in a major tourist town, what are they thinking? I don’t believe what they are saying to us.”