Tidal energy production on the Isle of Wight has been given the partial green light as planners recommend the onshore elements of the Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre (PTEC) application be approved.
Officers have recommended the PTEC substation, control room and cable installation be approved — with 26 conditions and three suggestions — at Flowers Brook, Steephill Road in Ventnor.
The application will be heard at the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee next Tuesday (14th December).
Previous permission lapsed
Permission had been granted in 2015, but due to funding challenges, it lapsed and permission for homes and holiday lodges has been given instead.
Moving to a different part of the site, next to the pumping station and on Southern Water land, PTEC is once again trying to get the operation up and running with the onshore facilities the last step before it generates tidal energy.
Start construction in 2023
If it were to be approved by the committee, PTEC said it plans to start construction in 2023 and be operational by 2025.
It is estimated PTEC could provide clean energy for up to 15,700 homes, just over 20 per cent of the Island’s housing.
Opposition from some
However, 79 people have raised concerns and objections with the council, including Ventnor Town Council, who said there would be a loss of visual and recreational amenity, the proximity to houses, noise levels and disturbance of wildlife.
Officers say mitigating factors like a £19,800 biodiversity contribution, habitat reinstatement plan, replanting scheme and ways of masking the noise levels would help.
Staged programme of archaeological work
There is also the potential for medieval deposits and features, including human burials, still present, so a staged programme of archaeological work has been rcommended.
Officers say on balance the economic, environmental and social benefits of the proposed development would outweigh any temporary adverse impacts.
Denied rights of access
An issue remains with Red Squirrel Ltd, which owns the land the entrance to the site is on and has refused PTEC rights of access or to carry out work on their land while they still own it.
Planning officers have suggested applying a condition that prevents the start of development until works to the entrance have been completed, but they recognise the likelihood of such an agreement to be ‘extremely remote’.
Financial interest
The Isle of Wight Council does have a minority financial interest in PTEC and the planning committee is required to determine the application to ensure the decision is made in an open and transparent manner.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
