Surfing Enthusiasts Express Concerns Over Dorset Wind Farm

Whichever side of the debate your opinion lies when it comes to the question of wind farms, there is no doubt that they would never win a beauty competition. The effect on our fragile environment is often the key factor when objections are raised to another planned development.

Wind Turbines - Always A Contentious Issue

Advocates of wind farms often try and negate these arguments by seeking consents for off shore proposals, but with another grouping of turbines now on the drawing board off the coast of Dorset, an active pressure group for surfers is pressing for reassurances on the question of surfing conditions.
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) who campaign vigorously on issues affecting the coastal environment and surfing in general are expressing concerns about wave conditions around the planned Navitus Bay wind farm off the coast of Dorset.

The chief executive of SAS said the charity was not interested in the aesthetic impact of the proposals, but more how the farm could affect surfing conditions. There will be consultations with the developers in the hope of  mitigating any possible negative effects from the turbines ahead of construction.

Hugo Tagholm said: "Wind turbines are solid structures, we could be talking about hundreds of them anchored to the sea bed, and that can affect the swell."

If the Navitus Bay wind park goes ahead, it will be located off the Dorset and Hampshire coasts, 12.2 miles (19.6km) from Bournemouth, and will have up to 218 turbines that will cover about 67 square miles of seabed. It is said that to could provide power for up to 790,000 homes.

Independent studies have been undertaken into the affect of wind turbines on Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight's surfing beaches and waves as part of its Environmental Impact Assessment, and the developers are agreeable to surfers having access to the data and also have the chance to offer input into possible mitigation measures.

SAS has form in this respect as it has previously campaigned for changes to the design of Rampion offshore wind farm near Brighton. Following that, the local surfing community persuaded the developers to use fewer, larger wind turbines, which meant the maximum impact of the wind farm on waves was a 3% reduction in height rather than a 22% reduction.

                                                     http://www.navitusbaywindpark.co.uk/