Agenda item

The Chair invited Alice Humphries, Senior Consultant from Iceni Projects who provided members with a detailed presentation.  An application for a Development Consent Order had been submitted by Rampion Extension Development Ltd for the Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm Scheme for up to 90 offshore wind turbine generators, which had been accepted by the Secretary of State.  As part of the examination process, Arun District Council, as a ‘host Local Authority’ has been invited to submit a ‘Local Impact Report’ (LIR) by 20 February 2024, which was before the Committee today to consider.

Members raised a number of points during a detailed discussion on the proposals: 

·      The importance of the economy and concern that there had been very little study of the disadvantages and advantages regarding the economic impact wind farms had when positioned adjacent to the coastline.

·      Comment was made that the economy had not been included in the assessment of impact at a local level.

·      The detrimental effect on seaside towns, due to the proximity of the wind turbines to the Arun district’s beaches, was a concern, as tourism would be displaced during the construction phase with tourists diverting to neighbouring areas instead.

·       The impact of the cabling works on the quality of agricultural land and the need for this type of land to be reinstated to its original agricultural land classification grade.

·      The issue of ‘pay back’ was discussed, it was of concern that there was little mention of mitigation or compensation, which it was suggested could be used towards a range of projects, such as the improvement of flood defenses at Climping.

·      Treat as an asset with the right investment it may provide a positive economical uplift, providing both skilled and unskilled jobs.

·      The idea of the wind farm becoming a tourist attraction was suggested by providing a visitor education centre, the ‘Look and Sea Visitor Centre’ was suggested as a location, and boat trips to the site.

·      Concern was raised about the negative noise impact, especially at nighttime during the construction stage, which would likely be worse than the issues experienced during Rampion 1, due to a larger generating capacity for Rampion 2 and its location being closer to the coastline.

·      A question was asked whether Arun District Council would receive any money to reinvest in the District to offset any negative impacts?  It was explained that the Council’s representations and the Local Impact Report had highlighted the need for mitigation measures to be in place to offset negative impact. Where mitigation was not possible a mechanism to secure compensation in the form of a Community Benefits Package had been requested and wording to this effect had been requested in the draft Development Consent Order.  As regards to which communities.  Further details had been requested from the applicant, who were the decision maker, as to which of the communities in Arun would benefit from such a package.

The Group Head of Planning responded to question concerning the examination stage.  As regards to member involvement he advised that if the Examiner appointed by the Planning Inspectorate wanted to hear the Council’s views at the examination stage, then notice would be given to the Council.  At that time the Planning Committee can consider who should be involved at that stage to provide the Council’s views.  It was noted that the Council was not able to secure any substantial benefits requested for Rampion 1 and therefore it was not expected that Rampion 2 would either.  Progress updates would be reported to the Council’s Planning Briefing Panel.  Alice Humphries would be the Council’s representative at the examination who then explained more about the examination process. 

Responding to members comments regarding a visitor centre and boat trip excursions, these were already available to the public for Rampion 1, the Group Head of Planning advised it would be difficult to request the same for Arun, as it would be expected that the applicant would use the facilities already available to serve the scheme as a whole.   

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Wallsgrove and seconded by Councillor Lury. 

The Group Head of Planning provided additional advice on the suitability of the amendments to the LIR requested by members during their discussion.  In relation to comments made by members surrounding the provision of flood defences at Climping, it was not possible to request a continual pay back for any negative impacts caused to the community.  Referring the comments made by members concerning the visual impact and employment impact, he advised members that the LIR already referred to these impacts.

The Committee requested that the LIR should be amended to take into account the following:

·      Make reference to the potential for the provision of a Visitor Centre within the Arun District to encourage tourism to the area.

·      Request that the onshore cable corridor do not disturb the road surface of the proposed Lyminster bypass.

·      To further highlight the importance of the tourism economy in the Arun District, as members were concerned about the negative impact the proposal would have on the tourism industry, especially during the construction stage and possibly thereafter.

·      Strengthen reference to the concerns raised by members regarding the impact of noise, particularly in relation to the negative impact of nighttime noise during the construction phase.

The Group Head of Planning advised members that officers would now formulate additional text to take into account the above amendments to the LIR requested by the Committee and would be re-circulated to the Committee for information before submission to the Secretary of State.

The Committee

            RESOLVED to

i.    Provide comments on and agree the proposed Local Impact Report, set out in Appendix 1 to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

ii.   Delegate authority to the Group Head of Planning to make appropriate amendments, to be re-circulated to the Committee for information before submission of the LIR.

iii.  To agree that written representations based on the contents of the Local Impact Report are submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in accordance with the timescales confirmed by the Planning Inspectorate.