Bournemouth Council welcomes the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change’s decision to refuse planning permission for the Navitus Bay offshore wind farm. The Council has argued strongly that the proposals would have a serious effect on both the natural environment and the local economy.
More detailed analysis of DECC’s decision to follow.
Leader of Bournemouth Council Councillor John Beesley said:
“There is a huge sense of relief across Bournemouth today. Common sense has prevailed and our beautiful natural environment, coastline and dependent tourist industry have been protected for future generations.
“The scale of public reaction to EDF and Eneco’s Navitus Bay proposals to industrialise and irrevocably damage the outstandingly beautiful and natural Dorset coast was unprecedented.
“The environmental degradation and risk to the setting of the World Heritage status of the Jurassic Coast would have had a very negative and long term impact on the area. Evidence supplied by the developer warned of substantial economic damage to tourism and business confidence.
“Whilst we have remained confident that the Secretary of State would come to the right conclusion, it has been a long, hard and exhausting battle against EDF and Eneco’s Navitus Bay – a development that would have had a serious and damaging impact on our precious natural environment and local economy.
“I would like to thank the local residents, businesses, Poole and Christchurch Bays’ Association, Challenge Navitus and our MPs who have campaigned so passionately against this scheme. We now look forward to continuing to grow Bournemouth’s position as a leading national and international tourist destination as further investment flows into the town.”
