NORTH WESTERN AND NORTH WALES SEA FISHERIES COMMITTEE
OFFICER’S REPORT
GWYNT Y MOR WIND FARM CONSULTATION
Report by the Senior Scientist and Chief Executive.
Purpose of Report
To inform Members of consultation regarding permissions for the Gwynt y Mor Wind Farm.
Recommendation
That the report be received
That Members are invited to submit comments to the Lancaster Office in advance of the deadline to inform a co-ordinated response.
1. Background
1.1 In late December 2005 a consultation letter was received seeking comments on the application by Gwynt y Mor Offshore Wind Farm Ltd for consents under the Electricity Act, FEPA and Coast Protection Act. The deadline for comments is 22nd February 2006.
1.2 A copy of the application is attached at Annex A. The chart accompanying this application shows the location of the proposed wind farm, but does not depict the 6-mile fishery limit. Members are advised that only the eastern tip of the area containing turbines lies within the Committee’s District. This approximates to an area between Area Co-ordinates 4-9 on the chart, north of the North Hoyle Buoy. This amounts to around 8km˛, roughly 7% of the total wind farm area. Notwithstanding this, loss of the fishing grounds within the turbine area would be a serious matter for many vessels based within the District.
1.3 The area covered by the Cable Envelope is very considerable, and is nearly all within the Committee’s District.
2. Response to the Consultation
2.1 Officers have discussed the application and its implications, and propose to include the following concerns in their response:
The wind farm area is very significant for fishing with mobile gear, and its loss will have a detrimental impact not only on local boats, but on vessels from further afield.
A considerable proportion of Liverpool Bay is already being lost to fishing through oil, gas and wind farm developments. The loss of further grounds, and the effect that this will have on the industry, is of grave concern.
The area is an important fish spawning ground. The effects of the turbines on both bony fish and elasmobranches, for example through vibration and electromagnetic fields, is uncertain and could have damaging implications for stocks already under great pressure
2.2 Members are invited to submit additional comments to the Lancaster Office in order that a comprehensive response can be submitted.
BILL COOK
Senior Scientist
STEPHEN ATKINS
Chief Executive
17th January 2006
LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT, 1985
List of Background Papers
1. Gwynt y Mor Offshore Wind Farm Environmental Statement – Non Technical Summary.