THIS is the video that claims to show what the Poole Bay windfarm could look like.
Challenge Navitus, a group opposing the Poole Bay farm say it is bigger than any in existence and have produced a series of dramatic videos to illustrate how they believe it will look.
Challenge Navitus say the turbines’ most likely height is 189 metres – taller than the ‘Gherkin’ building in London.
The videos were produced by Andrew Langley, an engineer from Swanage specialising in mathematical modelling.
He said they are as factual as possible and even take into account factors like curvature of the earth.
Mr Langley, from near Swanage, said: “We are quite prepared to think that people still want them, but we want them to know the full facts.
“Navitus is three times as big as anything yet built offshore, although bigger wind farms than this are also being planned.”
The windfarm would occupy 76 square miles between Purbeck and the Isle of Wight and generate 900MW to 1,200MW.
The plans have not yet been submitted but it will contain 150-300 wind turbines, about 10 miles from Bournemouth and Poole, and around eight miles from Swanage.
Challenge Navitus was formed in Swanage but said it now has members from along the coast including Bournemouth, Lymington and Christchurch, and yesterday gave evidence to Bournemouth councillors.
Member Malcolm Turnbull, a former environment policy officer for Dorset County Council, said: “The Government said wind farms should be more than 13 miles off-shore in sensitive areas.
“We have the Jurassic coast, a world heritage site – this is eight miles out in one of the most sensitive areas I can think of.”
The group also questioned the public consultation saying the forms did not allow people to say they were against the project.
Helen Cassini, consents manager for Navitus Bay, said in a statement: “We are unable to comment on the accuracy of the videos as we are not aware of the methodology which was used.
“We showcased montages at the public exhibitions. These adhered to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) methodology.
“At the public exhibitions, we were looking for people’s feedback on a preferred design and layout.
“Public feedback isn’t just restricted to the feedback forms at the public exhibitions, as they can send letters or emails to Eneco stating their opposition or support for the proposals.”
For all the videos and full instructions on how to watch them to get the most accurate representation of the height of the turbines - plus a comparison with Eneco's visualisations and why they are different, visit our Navitus page
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