Swanage Area
It is important that you follow the viewing instructions for these simulations of the windfarm.
High Definition Videos
Suitable only for displays with at least 1920x1080 pixels, such as high-resolution PC monitors or Smart TVs, with a fast internet connection. Display them "full-screen" by clicking on the "arrows" symbol at the right hand side of the toolbar at the bottom of the video frame after it starts playing. You may also need to set your browser to "full screen" mode (usually by pressing the F11 key). If you play them on a lower resolution screen, the detail will be blurred.
194, 5MW turbine array (Feb 2014 layout)
|
|
This computer simulation shows what the view might look like from the SW coast path in north Swanage near the Ballard Estate.
The assumptions behind the video are explained on the Animation FAQ page. (194, 177m 5MW turbines). |
|
|
This video shows the view of the same 5MW turbine array from Swanage beach near Ocean Bay. Only part of the wind farm is visible from there. Note the turbines visible over the top of Peveril Point.
|
122, 8MW turbine array (Feb 2014 layout)
|
|
This view is equivalent to the north Swanage view above, but with the alternative design of fewer, bigger (200m) 8MW turbines.
|
|
|
This is the view from Swanage beach near Ocean Bay with the larger 8MW turbine array. Only part of the array is visible from there. Note the turbines visible over the top of Peveril Point.
|
How Swanage would be affected
Swanage would be the community most affected by the presence of the windfarm. The farm would be only 9.2 miles (14.7km) from Peveril, would span 1.7x the apparent width of the whole of the Isle of Wight, and the closest turbines would look up to three times as tall as the island. Views change rapidly around Swanage because of the topography, and some parts of the town would not see the array at all.
Peveril Down is the largest recreational green space in Swanage, popular with both residents and visitors alike and part of the World Heritage Site. It has stunning views to Durlston Castle and one of the best views of the Isle of Wight on the south coast. From Peveril Down and Durlston Bay, the farm would occupy 40% of the horizon between the Isle of Wight and Durlston Head. The view from Peveril Down over Durlston Bay would be one of the most heavily impacted in the entire region. Residents on Durlston Bay would overlook the wind farm, and at night see the flashing warning lights on the turbines in an area that is currently dark.
Parts of the array would be visible from Swanage Pier, and the town beach. Going further north along the beach more of the array would come into view from behind Peveril Point, so that by Shep's Hollow, all of the array would be visible, filling about 60% of the horizon between the Isle of Wight and Peveril Point. This "blocking" effect (denial of a clear horizon) would be at a maximum in north Swanage. Further north still, the whole array would be in view up to Ballard Down from which the farm would be very visible.
Swanage is heavily dependent on tourism and its attraction as a place to live, which bring money into the community. It is very difficult to prove in advance what the impact of a windfarm would be on the local economy, but there is a risk that a fraction of Swanage's visitors and potential residents may choose to go somewhere else, like Weymouth or Lyme Regis.
Swanage is also nationally famous for diving. These diving operations would be curtailed during construction and de-commissioning due to the dangers posed by shipping, sediment plumes and underwater noise from pile-driving (which also affects marine life). It is not clear yet whether, and where, underwater noise during the windfarm's operation would be audible to divers and marine life, or what impact that might have.
Peveril Down is the largest recreational green space in Swanage, popular with both residents and visitors alike and part of the World Heritage Site. It has stunning views to Durlston Castle and one of the best views of the Isle of Wight on the south coast. From Peveril Down and Durlston Bay, the farm would occupy 40% of the horizon between the Isle of Wight and Durlston Head. The view from Peveril Down over Durlston Bay would be one of the most heavily impacted in the entire region. Residents on Durlston Bay would overlook the wind farm, and at night see the flashing warning lights on the turbines in an area that is currently dark.
Parts of the array would be visible from Swanage Pier, and the town beach. Going further north along the beach more of the array would come into view from behind Peveril Point, so that by Shep's Hollow, all of the array would be visible, filling about 60% of the horizon between the Isle of Wight and Peveril Point. This "blocking" effect (denial of a clear horizon) would be at a maximum in north Swanage. Further north still, the whole array would be in view up to Ballard Down from which the farm would be very visible.
Swanage is heavily dependent on tourism and its attraction as a place to live, which bring money into the community. It is very difficult to prove in advance what the impact of a windfarm would be on the local economy, but there is a risk that a fraction of Swanage's visitors and potential residents may choose to go somewhere else, like Weymouth or Lyme Regis.
Swanage is also nationally famous for diving. These diving operations would be curtailed during construction and de-commissioning due to the dangers posed by shipping, sediment plumes and underwater noise from pile-driving (which also affects marine life). It is not clear yet whether, and where, underwater noise during the windfarm's operation would be audible to divers and marine life, or what impact that might have.