RESIDENTS in Highcliffe have called on both sides of the controversial wind farm debate to air their views at a meeting in March.

Members of the Highcliffe Community Association will be hosting an event on Friday March 8 from 2.30pm with the wind farm developer Navitus Bay Development Ltd and opposition group Challenge Navitus.

Both parties will be given 30 minutes to explain their arguments at the public meeting.

The association, which has more than 1,700 members, are inviting local residents to come along and question the two groups about the pros and cons of the proposed development off the Dorset coast.

One hour will be set aside for as many questions and answers as possible with the aim of concluding the meeting by 4.30pm.

Dorset county councillor Alan Griffiths, who will be chairing the meeting, said: “This may be the first time that local people will see the two views clearly set out in one meeting where residents can hear both sides explain their views in detail.

“People will be able to ask either side any questions that they wish to get a clear view of the good or bad effects that the wind farm will have on our community.

“Highcliffe Community Association hopes that as many people as possible will come to hear at first hand the facts behind what is the largest proposed development in our area and what impact it may have on our lives. “ Navitus Bay Development Ltd has been holding consultation roadshows around Dorset and Hampshire with new pictures and 3D model of what the wind farm will look like from different points around the coast.

But Challenge Navitus have disputed the validity of the 3D model, saying the images are misleading.

The meeting will take place in the Methodist Church Hall on Lymington Road.