An MP has opposed the plans for a new wind farm as the consultation period comes to an end.
Alison Griffiths, MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, has voiced her “deep concern” for plans that propose the building of a new wind farm.
The project, Rampion Two, would see a 90-turbine offshore wind farm built from Selsey to Beachy Head, adjacent to the current Rampion wind farm and 13 kilometres off the Sussex coast.
Miss Griffiths said in a Facebook post that she “does not believe that this is the right project for the area”.
She said: “These turbines will be 2.3 times higher than the existing Rampion 1 turbines, and much closer to shore.
“At 325 metres at the top of the blade, they would be similar in height to the Eiffel Tower, and higher than the Shard.
“They risk considerable detrimental noise impacts on marine wildlife and divers, as well as the destruction of kelp forests, the eradication of our seahorse population, and represent a danger to the migrating bird populations which gather in Chichester Harbour, Pagham and Medmerry.
“In addition, the wind levels on the south coast will not deliver the most efficient energy. Sites in the North Sea are 1.6 times more windy.
“Many informed residents and community organisations are deeply concerned at the disbenefits from an environmental, social and economic perspective.”
Campaign groups are also taking a stand against the wind farm plans.
Protect Coastal Sussex, an action group that researches and educates people on environmental issues, is opposing the plans.
The group says that “wildlife would be severely impacted”, the project will cover “four times more area” than the existing Rampion wind farm and it will be in “an area of low wind power”.
In March, Brighton and Hove City Council said in the case of the application's approval, it should be compensated for the impact of a new offshore wind farm as there is “no proposed economic or other benefit” to the city.
Organisers say the project could generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than one million homes.
The project was accepted by the planning inspectorate in September and is currently in the examination stage, where the examining authority reviews the project and those who have registered or whose land will be directly affected can have their say.
READ MORE: Sussex Rampion Wind Farm exceeds 2023 energy targets
This period closed on August 6, with a decision expected early next year.
If approved, construction could start in late 2026 to early 2027 and the wind farm would be fully operational before 2030.
A spokeswoman for Rampion 2 said: “We have gone through a comprehensive process of identifying issues, assessing impacts and proposing mitigations, which is all set out in the environmental statement submitted as part of our development consent order application.
“The planning inspectorate’s examination has then provided the opportunity for statutory bodies and individuals to express their views across a range of issues, which the project has responded to as part of the examination process.
“The examining authority will then weigh up the pros and cons of our proposals in making their recommendation next year.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel