Wind farm project would damage coast, MP says

The parish council recommended the proposal be refused following a meeting with residents

Proposed onshore electrical work for a floating wind farm off north Devon would "decimate huge sections of the coastline", an MP has said.

Selaine Saxby, the MP for North Devon, said the entire White Cross Offshore Wind project should be decided at a "national level" instead of by local authorities.

Braunton parish councillors recommended the proposal be refused on Tuesday due to the potential for underground cable work to disturb the environment.

Flotation Energy, the company behind the plans, said it continued to work with residents to address their concerns.

According to plans submitted to North Devon Council, underground cables would need to be installed from Saunton Sands car park to a new substation at East Yelland.

The substation would then connect up to eight floating turbines, located in the Celtic Sea, to the national distribution network.

Saunton Sands is one of the South West's most popular beaches and is near to one of the largest sand dune systems in Britain.

Residents at a public meeting in nearby Braunton on Tuesday said they were concerned about the potential impact on the environment and increased traffic from lorries.

The parish council recommended the proposal be refused, citing potential damage to the environment and tourism.

Electrical work is proposed to take place at Saunton Sands

Speaking in Parliament, Ms Saxby accused those behind the project of "taking advantage of the planning system", which, if approved, "would decimate huge sections of the coastline".

She said the entire project - onshore and offshore elements - should be considered altogether as a "national infrastructure project".

This would allow for "proper strategic planning" and ensure communities are "recompensed appropriately for hosting infrastructure", she added.

Flotation Energy said: "We are currently reviewing the comments made by MP Selaine Saxby and are eager to continue to work with the public and local authorities to understand and aim to address, the concerns that have been raised."

The council is to decide on the application at a later date.

A spokesman said: “The district council is generally supportive of development that provides more sustainable energy for the future and is excited about the economic prospects that floating offshore wind could bring to the northern Devon area.

"However, alongside these benefits, impacts on the community have to be adequately recognised and weighed."