Article for North Devon Journal

Over the summer I held a meeting at Westminster with representatives of RWE, the company responsible for the proposal to build the "Atlantic Array", up to four hundred and seventeen wind turbines in the Bristol Channel situated, at its nearest point, about nine miles off the North Devon coast and this week, I called them in to see me again.

Nine miles sounds a long way but as the company's plans show, the turbines will, depending on weather conditions, be plainly visible well above the horizon from villages such as Clovelly and Westward Ho! The first consultation concludes this week although there is to be another next year prior to the application for planning permission in the autumn of 2012. I made very clear my view that if, without pre-judging the outcome in any way, the project was to have a chance of gaining the widespread support of local people, it was essential that the company should ensure that the Array brought lasting economic benefits to the communities of Torridge. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the coastal towns of South Wales will derive the major benefit from the massive construction and other service needs of the Array because they possess the size and scale of facilities it will require. However, if this or any other similar plan is to go ahead, it will simply be unacceptable if the vast commercial profits that will be made from this development end up without making a significant contribution to the regeneration and to the quality of life of our coastal communities who must live with the Array on their doorstep. There are also other real concerns, including the effect on marine wildlife, on navigation and on our local fishing industry. The decision will ultimately rest with the Secretary of State for Energy who will make a judgment on the overall merits of the final proposals. Like many other local people, I shall reserve judgment until the final planning application is made, while closely monitoring the progress of the plans. I intend to hold further meetings with the company, including with its Chief Executive, and I shall consult closely with Torridge District Council and other local organisations and individuals. The outcome of RWE's application is by no means pre-ordained and, as I have emphasised to its representatives, neither is my support for it as your MP.