Following the news that MHI Vestas Offshore Wind have been selected as preferred bidder for the Navitus Bay Wind Farm, Bournemouth council have voiced their concerns.
Cllr John Beesley, Leader of Bournemouth Borough Council told OnTheWight,
“”Whilst we are of course pleased that Navitus Bay’s turbine blade contract on the Isle of Wight will help to support existing local jobs, we are concerned that no new local employment opportunities have been announced.”
Industrialising coastal setting will affect 5,000 jobs
Claiming 5,000 jobs would be lost in Dorset if the wind farm project goes ahead, Cllr Beesley went on to say,
“Navitus Bay continues to ignore the fact that almost 5,000 jobs will be lost across Dorset if its offshore wind farm is developed.
“Changing the core appeal of the tourism offer by industrialising this beautiful coastal setting with vast, highly visible turbines will have an unprecedented and deeply damaging effect on our local economy.
“The evidence shows that six million tourists will avoid Bournemouth while the wind farm is constructed. The region faces a total economic loss of £6.3 billion if this wind farm goes ahead. Countless businesses will be undermined and the Jurassic coast risks losing its UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
“Bournemouth Council remains deeply concerned about the overwhelming and detrimental impact Navitus Bay wind farm will have on the area’s core appeal and local economy.”
