Appendix 2
Navitus Bay Wind Park – Phase Three Consultation.
The current consultation period finishes on 5th April and members of the public are encouraged to take part. There
will be one more public consultation in the autumn, before submission of the application to the Planning
Inspectorate in March 2014 with key stakeholders such as the Town Council, being involved in an additional round
this summer. This consultation looks at feedback from previous rounds and the resultant action, plus detail of the
onshore cable route. The Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation to Secretary of State for Energy and
Climate Change, who will make the final decision. The following summary is formed from the Navitus Bay
Development Ltd consultation document. (NBDL)
The wind park is proposed for an area of seabed just off the coast, licenced to Eneco and EDF (50/50 share) for the
next 50 years, although the current development is proposed for just 25 years. Should the development be
permitted, NBDL will assess viability in the latter years and will have to enter into public consultations and make
formal application once more, should they want to utilise the remaining licence period from the Crown Estate.
The amount of renewable energy the park could produce would supply 790 000 homes per year, with carbon
dioxide emissions reduced by 1 150 000 tonnes per year. The need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels is required as
resources are running out, and utilising renewables in the UK will help protect from international fuel price
changes. It is also an opportunity for economic growth by creation of jobs in the industry, whilst providing a
reliable sustainable energy source. The UK is the windiest nation in Europe, with extensive coastline and therefore
most suited to leading on wind power. The Government intend for 15% of energy to be from renewables by 2020.
Wind power is leading other renewables on this target, as it can be scaled up to mirror the output of many power
stations. Offshore turbines produce more energy than those onshore, due to higher wind speeds on average.
National Policy –
EN1 – This states that new energy infrastructure has great need and urgency, for creation of affordable energy that
is secure and sustainable;
EN3 – This sets the Government target of 15% renewables by 2020 in its development of a ‘low-carbon’ economy;
EN5 – New infrastructure of electricity generating is to support supply and demand of a more complex nature
including more diverse locations.
Other policies shaping the development include the national Marine Policy Statement, the National Infrastructure
Plan plus regional and local planning policies.
In 2009 the Crown Estate announced their ‘round 3’ of off-shore wind sites, with the south coast being one of nine
sites nationally. Originally the zone available was 1200km wide and up to 500km in depth, but through the zone
appraisal process this was drastically reduced. A wide variety of information led to reduction of the area for
development, coming from more than 50 stakeholders and covering issues such as marine conservation zones,
shipping constraints and unsuitable seabed geology.
Phase One – regarded the on shore substation, to be located just south of the existing one at Mannington, south
east of Three Legged Cross. The Navitus substation is required to transform the electricity created by the turbines
into the National Grid voltage. Two hundred people attended the events held, with 79 completing feedback forms.
The result of that consultation was a majority request for the substation to be positioned at ‘Site 2’, the area
directly south of the existing substation. The greatest concern of respondents was the potential impact on wildlife
and habitats. However the NBDL chose substation site 3a instead, as site 2 would have been more damaging to
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Appendix 2
nearby water meadows, hedgerows and local species according to ecological survey results. Also site 3a would be
better screened by trees and therefore have less visual impact. There were other contributory factors to the
decision, including noise.
Phase Two – There were more than 2000 people that attended events held on this round, with 801 feedback forms
received. Respondents were asked that out of the three different turbine size and number combinations, which
was considered to have the greatest visual impact. 118 considered the 3.6MW, and 84 the 9MW had greatest
impact. Nearly 25% of respondents didn’t answer the question. Overall, respondents were more concerned about
having a greater number of smaller turbines, rather than a mix including larger turbines but covering a smaller
area. Area F (the northern most tip) of the development area was chosen as that having the greatest visual impact
(373 out of 418 respondents) In fact, area F was considered the worst of the four areas for every aspect by
respondents, including impact on birds, shipping and coastline.
Reacting to the feedback, Eneco/EDF announced changes to the scheme in December which included moving the
boundaries, with development 12 miles from Barton’s coast rather than the previous boundary at 10 miles;
reducing number of turbines by one third to 218; maximum height by 10m (to 200m) and reduction in the seabed
area for development by 12% to 175sq.km Phase Two had raised concerns about the World Heritage status of the
Jurassic Coast. NBDL do not expect that the geology will be impacted upon, which is the focus of the World
Heritage status. NBDL will however include landscape/seascape impact in the Environmental Impact Assessment, a
process which the World Heritage site is guiding.
The updated plan, which includes the changes announced as above in December, involves the cable land fall point
at Taddiford Gap (Between Barton and Milford, car park off Milford Road) up to three offshore substations, a
meteorological mast and export cables to bring the electricity to shore. The offshore substations will be a
maximum 50m above Lowest Astronomical Tide, and mast 120m. The environmental impact assessment must be
based on a realistic worst case scenario, and will be submitted with the ‘Rochdale Envelope’ covering the
maximum parameters for the development. The turbines likely to be used if permitted will have a fan-like rotor
and three blades with a tall tower, the most commonly used, They are likely to be painted light grey and have a
installed capacity of 5-8MW. There will be a minimum of ½ mile (756m) between each turbine.
There are several foundation options for the turbines, including monopiles (long steel tubes) gravity bases
(concrete/steel diameters) and space frames (steel lattice like that used for oil/gas construction). The ones chosen
will depend on many factors including water depth, tidal wind and wave condition and cost. NBDL will implement a
safety zone of 500m where components are being constructed, and there will likely be a 50m safety zone around
each turbine once generating energy to safeguard vessels. Lighting will be required so that turbines can be seen by
sea and aircraft, and will be in line with relevant advice from the CAA and General Lighthouse Authority. NBDL are
still assessing which port will be the base for construction and maintenance vessels, and need not be the same for
both. Whichever port is chosen will have an operations base built and create 100 full time jobs for the 20
operational years of the wind park.
The consultation document clearly explains each section of the cable route and is accompanied by a map. The
cabling will include HV onshore cables that carry the energy from Taddiford Gap to the new substation near
Mannington, and HV transmission cables which connect the substation to the Mannington national grid connection
point. The onshore cable installation will be up to 40m in width (0.02 mile) and include 6 separate cable pits with
required 3m margin for each, a works access road and area for spoils.
Decommissioning – At the end of the Crown Estate lease or when the park is at the end of its useful life, changes
will be required to reverse the development. This will include turbine and foundation removal, dependant on an
environmental impact assessment at that point.
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Appendix 2
Environmental Impact – This is on-going and data has been gathered from many knowledgeable sources such as
statutory bodies, academic organisations, conservation groups and local authorities. On-going surveys include data
for waves and currents and use of acoustic equipment to record marine mammal movement. These have data from
approximately 12months and are due to be retrieved in the next few months.
Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment findings - This is not an exhaustive list.
Bats – Surveys (visual, bat detector equipped and tree climbing looking for roosts) taken over cable route
conducted. 844 bat passes have been recorded, with 9 species foraging around the cable route. No roosts were
found that would have a direct impact on the cable route.
Badgers – On surveying, one main set and 15 outlier setts have been identified within 100m of the cable route.
(Outlier is a sett used by the extended family group and may become a centre for new family group)
Marine Mammals – Have conducted Natural England agreed acoustic monitoring for cetacean click detection in
strategic places in the development area and Swanage Bay. Further surveys conducted (boat and aerial based) over
a 2 year period include sightings by local groups. Five species were identified in the development area, although
low level of sightings as expected for the region. Records of long term sightings are currently being assessed to
determine if important species would be affected.
Seabed and Fish Ecology – Surveys conducted include beam trawls, video camera and seabed grabs, in accordance
with Natural England and government department ‘Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science’.
Findings are as expected for the region and are being discussed with relevant statutory bodies.
Socioeconomics and Tourism – Surveys include supply chain analysis for construction, operation and maintenance
of the wind park and summertime visitor survey from 2012 to test tourist opinion. Further surveys due include
local businesses, recreational organisations and local government tourism officers. The findings are not yet
available, but will form part of the Environmental Statement for submission.
Archaeology – Assessments based on information from National Monuments Record, Historic Environment Record,
Light Detection and Ranging, English Heritage and curators at HCC, NFDC and the National Park Authority. Findings
state that no statutory archaeological sites will be directly affected by the cable route or substation.
Landscape and Visual Amenity – Seventeen key stakeholders including planning authorities and those managing
nationally protected land are being consulted with and have shaped methodologies, study area boundaries and
location of viewpoints. Studies have pinpointed character environments of land and seascape. Assessments are
currently focussing on realistic ‘worst case’ visual situation so that it is covered in the Rochdale Envelope
submission.
Traffic and Transport - Surveys conducted have included roads suitable for plant and material delivery plus more
sensitive sites such as schools, and expected traffic increase on major routes. A ‘slight’ increase is expected on A35
and A31. Identified transport routes will show which routes could take construction traffic, for access, and those
not to be used.
Local Benefits to area – The document summarises the amount of homes that could benefit from sustainable
energy, carbon emission reduction (as above) and adds that there will be over 1000 jobs created for the
construction phase, 100 full-time jobs thereafter, and will add £100 million to the economy following the £4million
already spent on consulting, environmental, planning and communications work undertaken. Plus there is potential
for apprenticeships and job-based training for local youngsters from resultant periphery services such as hotels and
building vessels.
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Appendix 2
The next steps – In summer of this year, NBDL will consult statutory bodies such as the Town Council on its
proposed scheme and draft Environmental Statement. Then in autumn the final public consultation on ‘shaping’
the development is due. This will include feedback from the previous round plus the finalised versions of
documentation. The application is due to be made in early 2014, and everyone will get the opportunity to state if
they agree or object to the proposal in principle at this point. The final decision is not expected until 2015.
Specific questions from NBDL as follows – (Suggested Town Council response in italics)
ONSHORE
1. What additional impacts should we consider in relation to the proposed onshore substation?
n/a.
2. What additional impacts should we consider in relation to the proposed cable landfall?
3. What additional impacts should we consider in relation to the proposed underground cable route?
That expected disruption (not necessarily closures) to local roads be notified at the relevant site in good
time and accompanied by text in local newspapers. A dedicated telephone number should also be
advertised on information boards so, should residents have cause for redress, they have available clear and
accurate information directly from the responsible party.
4. What do you think the positive benefits or negative impacts overall of the onshore elements of our
proposal could be?
Major local traffic disruption during the construction phase.
OFFSHORE
5. What do you think are the positive benefits associated with these revisions?
That the distance to the boundary south of Barton-on-Sea has increased, so visual impact has lessened to
some degree.
6. What do you think are the negative impacts associated with these revisions?
There is local concern that the results from marine mammal surveys in Swanage Bay will necessitate the
park becoming more intense on the eastern side, despite the recent increase in distance at the western
boundary.
7. What additional impacts should we consider in relation to the offshore elements?
Positioning of the meteorological mast and substations, so as not to increase the visual impact particularly
as they will have to be clearly marked to make passing vessels aware.
8. Having seen the plans, do you have any other comment?
n/a.
Theresa Elliott
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February 2013.
Appendix 2
INITIAL DRAFT LIST OF NMTC ISSUES
1. Detrimental impact the tourist economy of Barton-on-Sea and surrounding area due to the degraded views
of the sea scape from Barton clifftop.
2. A detrimental impact on amenity due to the permanent loss of many trees in hedgerows crossed by the
cable route and the width of the cable route, causing a detriment to the landscape and the character of the
area.
3. Detriment to woodland classified as Sites of Importance to Nature Conservation through tunnelling
underneath to accommodate the cables.
4. Detriment to ‘public open space’ along the cable route.
5. Disruption to transport during the construction of the pipelines
(the above is 101 words, up to 500 allowed in registration submission)
Claire Lambert 23 may 2014
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