As revealed by Steven Smith (the Echo 07.11.14) the wind farm developers have come up with a reduced size scheme for Bournemouth bay.
What was not made clear is the way the developer is trying to disrupt the democratic examination process.
Concealed in the midst of hundreds of documents already issued by NBDL is the last-minute document, only published on November 6, which amounts to a new proposal for a smaller number of turbines. But the developer wants to keep the same 153 sq.km site area in Bournemouth bay and the same size electricity substation onshore.
Because of the late disclosure there are only three weeks left for any consultation on this and the original 194 turbines application is still on the table. By the time further details are available there will be even less time for examination.
The planning inspectors have faced an overwhelming response to the original application; the developer claims this new proposal will help the planning process. But I agree with Conor Burns MP – this looks like an attempt to obtain approval to a smaller scheme and then get the larger scheme as Phase 2 in the future.
The planning inspectors should tell the developer to withdraw the bigger scheme and allow a proper examination of the smaller scheme.
John Searle, Irving Road, Southbourne
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