THE developer behind the planned wind farm for the Dorset coast has tonight revealed a lesser scheme that would see fewer turbines situated further out to sea.

Navitus Bay Development Ltd says that it is still “fully committed” to its original proposal, which would see up to 194 turbines, as high as 200 metres, situated 13 miles from Bournemouth and Poole and nine from Swanage.

But, as the Planning Inspectorate's examination of its proposals continues, it has now submitted plans for a smaller alternative scheme.

After being asked by the Daily Echo, NBDL confirmed that the alternative plan would have a maximum of 105 turbines and would be 19km - 11 miles - out to sea at their closest point from shore.

Revealing the new plan, Mike Unsworth, Navitus Bay project director, said that it had the potential to generate electricity for 700,000 UK households and would create a minimum of 1,700 jobs during construction and inject up to £1.6 billion into the economy.

Mr Unsworth added: “During the initial stages of its examination of the Navitus Bay planning application, the examining panel set up by the Planning Inspectorate asked the Navitus Bay project for further information in response to a number of questions, including if it was likely to submit a proposal with fewer turbines.

“In response, we have submitted plans for a smaller scheme with fewer wind turbines, with a capacity of 630MW. In this proposal, the nearest turbines to shore would be further away than in the original plan.

“This option does not replace the original proposal, to which we remain fully committed, however it provides the examining panel and the Secretary of State with a second option which reduces certain impacts of the scheme.

“We believe that the original larger 970MW scheme, as well as the reduced option, would both make an important contribution to the UK's energy mix and its renewable energy and carbon reduction targets.

“Similarly, the potential benefits both options would bring to the local economy in terms of jobs and skills would be significant.

“The Secretary of State will consider which option strikes the right balance between benefits and impacts. However, Navitus Bay continues to have confidence in its original planning application, and believes it strikes the right balance and proposes sufficient measures to address any potential impacts.”

More to follow on Friday morning