Thanet Extension Offshore Wind Farm extension update
Vattenfall, operators of Thanet Offshore Wind Farm, has issued a Report to give those who took part in the public consultation a summary of the feedback received, an explanation of how it will be used by Vattenfall and an overview of what will happen next with the Project.
In January 2017, Vattenfall informed the community of its intention to explore an extension to Thanet Offshore Wind Farm. Statutory consultation for Thanet Extension Offshore Wind Farm (the Project) then took place between 27 November 2017 and 12 January 2018.
Community engagement
As part of the consultation, a number of formal Public Information Days took place together with ‘pop up’ events across the consultation area (as defined by the Statement of Community Consultation – a copy of which can be found at www.vattenfall.co.uk/thanetextension).
Meetings were held with key stakeholders and local groups were also invited to take part in the consultation.
The newly-published Feedback Report is intended to provide an overview of all the views and comments raised by participants. It will inform the ongoing work of the Project Team in the preparation of the final planning application.
Most of the feedback received is directly relevant to the project and Vattenfall has pledged to consider and prioritise this feedback according to the relative weight of opinion.
Changes made to the Project as a result of statutory and community consultation will be fully described in the final planning submission.
Key local issues
Helen Jameson, Thanet Extension Project Manager, said: “Around 200 people have taken part in the consultation. Since January 2017, around 1,000 local people have been involved directly, providing invaluable feedback and input on their key local issues.
“We received many suggestions that can assist us in maximising level of local benefit associated with the Project, and we will explore these further in the coming months, particularly ideas around supply chain, skills, education, tourism and enhancement of the local environment and community.
“We expect to submit our application for a Development Consent Order to the Planning Inspectorate in summer this year and continue to work with stakeholders to finalise our application.
“We will inform local residents when we have submitted our application via a newsletter which will be sent to local homes within the consultation area. This will explain the next steps in the process and how you can continue to stay in touch and be involved with the Project as it progresses through examination.”
Next steps
There will be further opportunities to participate in the planning process after the application is submitted. Further information can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website.
For more information relating to the Project, or to request a PDF copy of the Feedback Report, contact:
Melanie Rogers, Local Liaison Officer
FREEPOST: Vattenfall TEOW Project
Email: info@thanetextension.com
Telephone: 07817 944359
Twitter: @VattenfallUK
Facebook: Vattenfall UK
www.vattenfall.co.uk/thanetextension
This story is from the RYA.
