Please don’t build on the motorway!

4 June 2008 
Media Release

The Crown Estate has today launched its Round 3 leasing programme for the delivery of up to 25 GW (gigawatts) of new offshore windfarm sites by 2020.

In reaction to the announcement Mark Brownrigg, Director-General, Chamber of Shipping, said: “The shipping industry supports the Government’s objective of increasing the percentage of Britain’s energy needs supplied by windpower.  However, the Round 3 leasing programme needs to consider carefully both the environment and the existing users of the seaways around the UK.

“Offshore windfarms can pose serious threats to shipping – because of the navigational safety implications when windfarms are located to close to established shipping routes and where they cause interference to ships’ radar. And where ships are forced to deviate around windfarm sites, that may negate some of the environmental benefits they were intended to bring.

“To use a land-based analogy: when planning offshore sites, please don’t build on the motorway! Or on the hard shoulder. But do build in the fields.

“The Chamber will continue to monitor planning applications to ensure that shipping’s safety, efficiency and low environmental impact are not compromised, while engaging positively with developers.”

For details of the Round 3 programme and notices, please go to: www.thecrownestate.co.uk/round3

For further information please contact:
John Stevenson, Chamber of Shipping
020 7417 2833