Residents on the south of the Isle of Wight have expressed their concern at the prospect of up to 30 towers, rising 60ft above the water at low tide, off the south coast of the Isle of Wight.
The towers are part of one of the many schemes that may appear in the future at the tidal array demonstration site at St Catherine’s, being managed by the Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre (PTEC).
An application for a licence to use the area off St Catherine’s has been lodged with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). If the license is approved, the area could be used by number of different companies to test their tidal energy schemes.
Residents ‘horrified’
Some local residents have said they are ‘horrified’ by the ’60ft monstrosities’.
They have expressed shock at learning the variety of tidal energy schemes would not all be submerged. Project manager for PTEC, Mark Francis, confirmed, “Tidal devices do come in all shapes and sizes,” adding, “Some are fully submerged, others float on the surface, and a limited number have support structures that can extend above the surface”.
Comment by Friday
Send your comments and reasoning for your comments by Friday 20th February to [email protected]
Tidal devices come in all shapes and sizes
Project Manger for PTEC, Mark Francis, told OnTheWight,
“As the project has not yet gained consent it is too early to know which companies will install their devices at PTEC.
“It is important to note that all surface piercing tidal device types extend significantly less above the water surface than any offshore wind turbines.
“As part of the planning process PTEC has a responsibility to consider all realistic, likely worst case variations. This approach is called the ‘Rochdale Envelope’, and is commonly used in projects where the final project parameters are not known at the time of application submission.
“We have had to assess the possible visual impact the tidal centre could have, with the deployment area being well over 2km offshore, and our findings have been included in our Environmental Statement and supporting documents which are available to members of the public via the Local Planning Authority and Marine Management Organisation websites.”
Support from Prime Minister
Earlier this year the Prime Minister expressed his support for the scheme during PM Questions.
A little later, head of Isle of Wight planning, Bill Murphy, also confirmed to OnTheWight that comments on the planning application for the substation and related items at Flowersbrook, Ventnor will be accepted up until the point of decision by the planning committee.
Have your say
You can email your response to the application (Ref: MLA/2014/00563) to David Morris by emailing [email protected]
Or send by letter:
David Morris
Offshore Licensing Case Officer
Her Majesty’s Government – Marine Management Organisation
Lancaster House
Hampshire Court
Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 7YH
Article edits
Reference to being able to give a Yes/No response removed. Headline, excerpt and two paragraphs amended to reflect after misleading information provided by officers.
Image: © With kind permission of Marine Turbines
