The approval of the Rampion 2 wind farm by the Secretary of State is devastating news. I have been clear since my election as MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton: this project is unsuitable for our area. I will continue to oppose it in every way I can.
Rampion 2 will bring turbines that are 2.3 times taller than the existing Rampion 1 turbines. They will be much closer to shore than other comparable wind farms. For example, Hornsea Project Two is 55 miles off the coast of Yorkshire. Seagreen Wind Farm is 16 miles from the shore in Angus. Rampion 2 will be just eight miles from our shore. The 90 wind turbines will be visible from Selsey all the way to Beachy Head. Furthermore, the wind levels on the south coast don't deliver the most efficient conditions. Sites in the North Sea provide far more effective wind to fuel these giant turbines.
Research has shown that the project risks detrimental noise and vibration impacts on marine wildlife and divers. We face the destruction of kelp forests, the potential eradication of our seahorse population, and a direct threat to the migrating bird populations that gather in Chichester Harbour, Pagham, and Medmerry.
Another critical issue is that the wind farm will connect to the national grid via cables that will land at Climping Beach. This beach, already experiencing heavy erosion, is highly mobile and vulnerable. The construction needed to bring these cables ashore could cause further habitat disturbance and exacerbate the coastal erosion, impacting both the local ecology and the community.
This is not nimbyism. We need renewable energy, but the infrastructure must be effective and appropriate for its environment. This project, in its current form, is completely out of scale to its position. It is the wrong place for a wind farm of this scale and magnitude. It is simply not right for our area.
I continue to stand up for our area and for residents’ concerns.
On access to cash and banking branches, time is running out to have your say in my banking survey.
Please respond to my survey by 23:59 on Sunday, 13th April at alisongriffiths.org.uk/BankingHub.
Following Santander’s decision to close their branch this summer, and with it Rustington’s last high street bank, I’m making the case to try and re-gain full banking services. Please respond and make your voice heard.
Did you know I have a Community eNewsletter? Keep up to date with how I'm working hard for you all year round, and sign up at alisongriffiths.org.uk.
If you have an issue you think I can help with, please email me at alison.griffiths.mp@parliament.uk or write to me at Alison Griffiths MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.