Here are some descriptions of the windfarm's visibility from various locations in the region. The statistics are based on Eneco's current data, which contain ranges of values (e.g. on turbine sizes - a height of around 185m is assumed here), so the numbers are necessarily approximate.  It is also assumed that the whole of Eneco's declared development area would be populated more-or-less uniformly with turbines. Eneco may choose not to do this, so some of the comments here may change as more data are released by Eneco.  We have also prepared some video animations of what the windfarm may look like from different vantage points click here to see video animations

Durlston and Swanage would have the best views of the windfarm from anywhere on land.  The closest turbine to land would be 13km away. From Durlston Country Park, Durlston Castle, and Durlston Bay the whole of the windfarm would be visible just to the south (right) of the Isle of Wight. Peveril Down would obstruct views of the farm from parts of Swanage, but it would become visible off Peveril Point from around the Mowlem over the top of the pier.  By Ocean Bay, a significant fraction of the farm would be visible between Peveril Point and St. Catherine's Point. By the Ballard Estate, where the SW coast path emerges onto the cliff, the whole windfarm would be visible occupying over 80% of the currently clear stretch of the horizon.  The closest turbines would appear to be about two and a half times the height of the Isle of Wight, and the farm would appear to be about two and a half times the width of the whole island.

There are few, if any, houses that could see the windfarm from Studland or the Glebe Estate.  On the beach, the first turbines would become visible above and behind Old Harry rocks from just north of Knoll beach visitor centre. The farm would emerge progressively from behind Old Harry as you walk north along the beach.  From part way along the beach, the closest turbines, at a range of 17km, would appear to be about one and quarter times the height of Old Harry.  By Shell Bay, over 80% of the farm would be visible immediately left of Old Harry. 

From the Haven Hotel eastwards, most of the buildings with sea-views towards Old Harry would see almost the whole windfarm.  It would also be visible from the beach.  The closest turbines, at a range of 17km, would appear to be over twice as high as Old Harry, and would be immediately left of it spreading over 30 degrees of horizon.  From promenade level, about one third of the height of the most distant turbines would be hidden by the curvature of the Earth. More would be visible from the upper storeys of buildings.

For the stretch of coast from Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head, the whole windfarm would be visible to the south, and it would often be back-lit, which makes it stand out more.  It would occupy around 33 degrees of the horizon (30-40% of the currently clear horizon between the Isle of Wight and Purbeck depending on your location).  Buildings on the cliff-tops would have the best views.  At promenade level, the lower third of the most the distant turbines would be hidden by the curvature of the Earth, but they would still be visible. From West Cliff in Bournemouth, the closest turbine would be under 17km away, and would appear to be over one and a half times as tall as West High Down on the Isle of Wight.

The whole coast from West High Down and the Needles to St. Catherine's Point (the Tennyson Heritage Coast) would be able to see the whole of the windfarm (local obstructions excepting). Even beyond St. Catherine's Point towards Ventnor, from high ground there would be at least partial views of the farm, though at long range.  The Needles battery and West High Down would have the best view.  From there, the closest turbines at 14.5km range would appear to be over one and a half times as high as Godlingston Hill in Purbeck, and the farm would span 43 degrees horizontally.