2 weeks Ago
Campaigners have said they are preparing to take legal action to try and stop the expansion of a windfarm off the Sussex coast. Proposals for The Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm were given the green light earlier this month by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband . The renewable energy project, which was approved following a lengthy planning process with public consultations, will see up to 90 wind turbines and foundations built off the Sussex coast - adding to the 116 already there.
It is said the additional turbines could power the equivalent of more than one million homes and reduce carbon emissions by around 1.8 million tonnes per year. Now Protect Coastal Sussex, an umbrella group which also incorporates Cowfold v Rampion and Middleton-Sea-Coastal Alliance, is fundraising to launch a judicial review to challenge the secretary of state’s decision.
Concerns raised by the groups include the effect on protected species, "unprecedented noise levels”, the “desecration” of a national park and how nationally significant infrastructure projects are being considered in terms of “legality, fairness and national security”. Campaigners said the ecological harm posed by the scheme is “immeasurable” and accused Rampion of “downplaying” its impacts, “ignoring reasonable alternatives” and conducting a “flawed” consultation. “The social, environmental and economic costs have been downplayed by the applicant as being of little impact,” they said.
The group also questioned the choice of location. “The location has a lower wind density than the North Sea and Rampion 1 operates at now confirmed 37 per cent efficiency,” they said. “A comparative wind farm in the Dogger Bank would be 60 per cent efficient.
A better use of capital, and thus a reasonable alternative missed. The cost - £3 to 4 billion – would be better spent building a wind farm in an area of higher wind density and without having to install a completely new cable run and substation, cutting through the South Downs National Park, protected habitats and ancient woods and hedgerows in the process.” But Rampion said the new turbines could generate the equivalent of around three-quarters of all the electricity demands for the whole of Sussex and that the scheme was approved following “extensive examination” which took into consideration concerns raised.
“The Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm was awarded consent by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, after an extensive examination where these issues were thoroughly explored,” said the spokesman. “Over the past four years, we refined and adapted the proposals, listening to community and expert input, and our goal throughout has been to create the best possible project for this site for the community, wildlife and the environment. “Once built, Rampion 2 could power the equivalent of over one million homes and reduce carbon emissions by around 1.
8 million tonne per year. Put another way, Rampion 2 could generate the equivalent of around three-quarters of all the electricity demands for the whole of Sussex and, combined with the operating Rampion Wind Farm, could power the entire electricity demand for Sussex.” Construction is planned to begin in 2027 and expected to be complete by 2030.
Announcing his backing of the scheme on April 4, Mr Miliband said: “The UK has a boundless supply of wind that cannot be turned on and off at the whims of dictators and petrostates. “It’s time to get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster, roll out clean power, protect our energy security and bring down bills for good. “This project puts us within reach of our clean power offshore wind target.
Through our plan for change we’re getting on with delivering the clean energy and jobs Britain needs.”.
