Following several years of research and assessment, Eon have been consulting since mid February on proposals for an off-shore wind farm. If the proposal goes ahead, on a clear
day the turbines may well be visible from the top of Ditchling Rise. A consultation event was held in central Brighton, and others have been held from Newhaven to Worthing, and inland where the proposed sub station could be sited. This is a major undertaking, should it go ahead, and many factors have been considered – including marine ecology, fishing and navigation rights, dredging rights, potential impacts onshore, noise (given
distance off shore more the impact on marine life more likely than on our coastal
commuinty) and impacts on birds. Its a complex and costly project that has the potential to supply electricity for whole of Brighton and Hove. To some wind turbines are elegant engineering, to others a blot on the landscape. However, we need energy to support our way of life, it has to be generated by some means – and however it is generated there
will be an impact. The public consultation is open until May 6th and can be found here https://www.eon-uk.com/
The project will also need government approval from the Infrastructure Planning Commission.
Information on Brighton and Hove City Council website here http://www.brighton-hove.gov.
A useful summary of research on the issues here: http://www.cse.org.uk/news/
Mary