Frequently asked questions
Q : So you're objecting to a floating offshore wind farm?
A : NO! Our issue is with the cable route, not the wind farm
Q : Aren't you just NIMBYs?
A ; Namecallings not cool. This isn't the only wind farm cable which will be coming to shore. We need a co-ordinated strategy for them so they have the least impact possible.
Q : But it has to go somewhere so why don't you just accept it?
A : If we thought this was a good plan trust us we'd be accepting, as we are pro-renewables. But it isn't.
Q : Where else could it go?
A : There are several sound options which wouldn't traverse deicate rare ecosystems.
Q : But won't it bring lots of jobs to the area?
A : The economic benefits of this proposal have been grossly overstated. There would be 16 jobs created in the local area as a result of it. Meanwhile we have a thriving tourist industry currently providing thoudsnds of jobs which is severely threatened by these plans.
Q : What about the climate crisis?
A : We know we need to de-carbonise, but not at any price. The area the cable would come through is highly designated because it's precious, and we recognise it's value.
Q : What's all the fuss? After the works done you won't see anything!
A : There will be a permanent scar on the landscape from the cable route visible from the air. Inspection chambers (Jointing bays) will be sited every 1KM along the route, and access roads will be installed. An ecologically precious site will be industrialised forever.
Q : Aren't you being alarmist?
A : We would love that to be true, but the plans don't value the site accurately. The bare minimum of ecological surveys have been carried out to give an unlcear picture to what the impact on nature will be. There is clear evidence from Natural England and the Environment Agency that this proposal threatens the integrity of the site entirely.
Q : The company behind this plan has loads of experience doing this, right?
A : Not as much as you would think or expect. They only have one fully operational FLOW (Floating Offshore Windfarm) test site in Scotland (Kincardine).
Q: This will create enough energy to power 3 x North Devons homes won't it?
A : This is a bit of PR put out by the developer. The expected output of the White Cross wind farm will not stay in the county or reduce bills.
Q : North Devon Council has aproved the plan. Surely that's it now, it's all over?
A : Any decision by the Planning Committee is open to challenge via Judicial Review, subject to meeting certain thresholds.
In other words, if there are sufficient grounds, the Council's decision can be appealed.
#CONSERVATIONNOTEXPLOITATION
