SUPPORTERS of and objectors to the planned Navitus Bay wind farm for the Dorset coast held events at the weekend.

A ‘Yes to Wind’ gathering was held at Bournemouth Pier on Saturday with supporters urged to register with the Planning Inspectorate, which is currently considering the planning application for the controversial scheme.

The BH Green group – an umbrella for several environmental organisations – was behind the get-together.

Spokesman Dr Martin Price said most people were behind wind power.

“Despite scare stories by a small, vocal group of ‘nimbys’, environmental groups know that, with proper care, wind turbines have little environmental impact – especially when compared to the alternatives – oil, gas, coal and nuclear,” he added.

On Friday night, opposition group Poole and Christchurch Bays Assoc-iation held a meeting at West Parley to discuss the potential impact of the onshore cabling work, which would run up to Mannington, near Wimborne.

The group argues that it will mean mass tree felling and have an impact on protected areas.

PCBA chairman Roy Pointer chaired the meeting, which heard from Christchurch MP Chris Chope and several other speakers.