Navitus Bay offshore wind farm proposal created quite a sight on Swanage seafront, where 400 of both those in favour and those against the project gathered on Sunday for demonstration, The Guardian news site informs.
Opponents of the project are concerned about its impact on marine life and bird population in the area, as well as its proximity to the shore that could affect tourism.
A campaigning group Challenge Navitus organized the demonstration against the offshore wind farm, which, in fact, encouraged about 100 proponents to publicly show that there are many of those who support the project. Green groups from Dorset including Friends of the Earth in East Dorset, the local Green party, Greenpeace, Wind for Dorset and the Transition Hub joined for this purpose.
“We’ve done a couple of local surveys about wind power, and you always get over 50% saying they’re in favour, but the anti-groups just seem to be much more vocal,” Theresa McManus, who helped co-ordinate the pro-wind demonstration , is quoted by the news site as saying.
In December , changes of the proposal for Navitus Bay were announced as a result of discussions with statutory consultees and local communities. The offshore wind farm has been reduced in size and moved further away from the coast.
From February 1 until April 5, a series of public exhibitions will be hosted in locations across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which will allow members of the public to view and comment on the latest plans.
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Offshore WIND Staff, January 15, 2013; Image: navitusbaywindpark