UK: Eneco’s Navitus Bay Meteorological Mast to Impact Tourism

Only recently, Eneco faced issues concerning landscape and environmental impact of the Navitus Bay wind farm location. Its temporary meteorological mast went before councilors who have objected to the proposal.

Eneco submitted application for permission to the Marine Management Organisation to build a platform and lattice tower to evaluate wind speed and direction. It would be situated approximately 8 miles off coast and it would be 100 meters high.

Purbeck council and Bournemouth’s planning board objected it because the landscape image would be affected, though the mast would be there for five years.

“The only impact would be from the visual perspective. We have taken into account navigational safety and work will start in July,” Eneco’s project developer Dan Bates said to the board.

Steve Davies, planning officer, said that it would be helpful to have a marker to evaluate the full impact of the wind farm and suggested that the council accepted the proposed mast between Old Harry Rocks and The Needles.

Board chairman, councillor David Kelsey said: “I think it would be giving the wrong impression to the public if we accept this.”

“The mast would be a temporary structure. If a marine licence is granted we will seek to minimise any impacts that the mast could have on the local area,” said Eneco’s spokesperson after the meeting.

[mappress]

Offshore WIND staff, April 20, 2012; Image: eneco