Over the Sea and Far Away? A Consideration of the Planning, Politics and Public Perception of Offshore Wind Farms

TLDR: The authors argued that many of the same problems are experienced by both onshore and offshore wind farms, albeit in slightly different ways; and that these need to be addressed if the promised expansion in offshore wind is to be delivered.

Abstract: This paper is about the politics, planning, and public perceptions associated with offshore wind farms. Although only half the applications for onshore wind farms are successful in England and Wales, the latest round of offshore applications have had far higher rates of consent. But is it simply the case that siting wind farms offshore solves the problems that onshore applications encounter? This paper argues that many of the same problems are experienced by both onshore and offshore wind farms, albeit in slightly different ways; and that these need to be addressed if the promised expansion in offshore wind is to be delivered. This paper draws together the research and evidence relating to onshore and offshore wind developments, exploring this with the emerging research on public perceptions of offshore wind farms, and initial empirical evidence from a proposed wind farm off the coast of North Wales. It concludes with some remarks about the potential for offshore wind around the UK, considers the role of ...

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Edinburgh Research Explorer
Over the Sea and Far Away? A Consideration of the Planning,
Politics and Public Perception of Offshore Wind Farms
Citation for published version:
Haggett, C 2008, 'Over the Sea and Far Away? A Consideration of the Planning, Politics and Public
Perception of Offshore Wind Farms', Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 289-
306. https://doi.org/10.1080/15239080802242787
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):
10.1080/15239080802242787
Link:
Link to publication record in Edinburgh Research Explorer
Document Version:
Peer reviewed version
Published In:
Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning
Publisher Rights Statement:
© Haggett, C. (2008). Over the Sea and Far Away? A Consideration of the Planning, Politics and Public
Perception of Offshore Wind Farms. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 10(3), 289-306doi:
10.1080/15239080802242787
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Download date: 10. Aug. 2022

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Paper for consideration for submission in Journal of Environmental Policy and
Planning
Title: Over the sea and far away? A consideration of the planning, politics
and public perception of offshore wind farms
Author: Dr Claire Haggett
Affiliation: Landscape Research Group, Newcastle University
Address: Landscape Research Group
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Claremont Tower,
Newcastle University
Newcastle, UK, NE1 7RU
Email: claire.haggett@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44(0)191 222 6006
Fax: +44(0)191 222 8811

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Over the sea and far away? A consideration of the planning, politics and public
perception of offshore wind farms
Abstract
This paper is about the politics, planning, and public perceptions associated with
offshore wind farms. While only half the applications for onshore wind farms are
successful in England and Wales, the latest round of offshore applications have had
far higher rates of consent. But is it simply the case that siting wind farms offshore
solves the problems that onshore applications encounter? This paper argues that
many of the same problems are experienced by both onshore and offshore wind farms,
albeit in slightly different ways; and that these need to be addressed if the promised
expansion in offshore wind is to be delivered.
This paper draws together the research and evidence relating to onshore and offshore
wind developments, exploring this with the emerging research on public perceptions
of offshore wind farms, and initial empirical evidence from a proposed wind farm off
the coast of North Wales. It concludes with some remarks about the potential for
offshore wind around the UK, considers the role of spatial planning, and discusses
issues for policy and planning that must be addressed if the Government’s ambitious
targets are to be achieved.
Key words: wind farms; offshore; renewable energy; spatial planning.

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Introduction
“Site them out at sea where no one can see them”
1
. So said Clive Aslet, editor of
Country Life magazine in a discussion about the impact of offshore wind farms.
Respondents to a survey by the Rural Gateway organisation in Scotland expressed
similar sentiments: “My views on the wind farm turbines are very simple, keep them
offshore and away from our beautiful countryside”
2
said one. Moreover, Upham and
Shackley (2006:54) found that the local people they interviewed preferred renewable
energy developments to be sited “away from themselves, other habitation and valued
onshore landscapes, i.e… offshore”. That turbines belong offshore, away from people
and precious vistas is not just a popular perception. As will be detailed in this paper,
despite the increased costs, massive scale of the work, relative lack of experience, and
the specialised technology and engineering required, a wide range of technical and
academic research also seems to subscribe to this view.
But is the answer this straightforward? Does siting turbines offshore somehow
‘solve’ the problems encountered onshore? This paper will argue that many of the
issues that are relevant to siting turbines onshore are just as relevant offshore, and that
they merely manifest in slightly different ways. Moreover, a realisation of this is
crucial if the political will to implement offshore wind farms is to be realised. This
paper therefore provides a critical review of research on offshore wind and a
discussion of these issues that both on- and offshore wind energy encounter, before
concluding with some remarks about the meaning of consultation and the role of
spatial planning.

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Offshore wind farms in the UK: the current situation
There are currently five offshore wind farms operating off the UK, with others
approved or under construction. The first was commissioned in December 2000 and
consists of two turbines, installed one kilometre off the coast of Blyth in
Northumberland. At the time of installation these turbines were the largest in the
world, and the first to be subject to the ravages of the North Sea. The UK’s second
offshore wind farm at North Hoyle, off the North Wales coast, became operational in
November 2003; the third, at Scroby Sands in The Wash, started generating in June
2004; the fourth, at Kentish Flats off the Kent coast, in September 2005; and the
latest, off Barrow in Cumbria, in July 2006.
The UK Government’s impetus to build more offshore wind power is clear. On the
14
th
of July 2003 the then Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI), Patricia Hewitt, announced that developers would be invited by the Crown
Estate
3
, which grants leases for the installation of wind farms, to bid for sites in three
strategic identified by the DTI: the Thames Estuary, the North West coast, and
Greater Wash area. In her statement, Mrs Hewitt emphasised the Government’s
support for offshore wind, and the beneficial impact it could have:
“This announcement represents a big step towards meeting our goals.
Offshore wind has potential to provide a significant proportion of the UK’s
energy needs. It will help the UK renewables industry to grow, building on
our world leading expertise in offshore manufacturing, creating over 20,000
new jobs in manufacturing, installation and maintenance, as the wind farms
take shape.”
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For myriad reasons therefore, including the potential market position of the UK in
renewable technologies, dependence on imported fossil fuels, and climate change, the
government is very keen to promote the proportion of energy generated from

Frequently asked questions

Q1. What contributions have the authors mentioned in the paper "Over the sea and far away? a consideration of the planning, politics and public perception of offshore wind farms" ?

This paper is about the politics, planning, and public perceptions associated with offshore wind farms. This paper argues that many of the same problems are experienced by both onshore and offshore wind farms, albeit in slightly different ways ; and that these need to be addressed if the promised expansion in offshore wind is to be delivered. This paper draws together the research and evidence relating to onshore and offshore wind developments, exploring this with the emerging research on public perceptions of offshore wind farms, and initial empirical evidence from a proposed wind farm off the coast of North Wales. It concludes with some remarks about the potential for offshore wind around the UK, considers the role of spatial planning, and discusses issues for policy and planning that must be addressed if the Government ’ s ambitious targets are to be achieved. 

Q2. What have the authors stated for future works in "Over the sea and far away? a consideration of the planning, politics and public perception of offshore wind farms" ?

Soerensen et al. ( 2001a: 29 ) point out that further research on offshore wind energy, and in particular public responses to it, is required. The second reason is that people have a right to participate in things that may affect them, and Gross ( 2007:2734 ) has unpacked this concept further to explore the associated issues of trust and fairness in participation. 

Q3. What is the conclusion that Soerensen et al. draw?

The conclusion that Soerensen et al. draw is that while public involvement is challenging, it yields confidence, acceptance and support. 

Q4. What is the main reason why people oppose wind farms onshore?

Haggett and Vigar (2004) examined opposition to wind farms onshore, and point out that “while there may be national and international benefits from a reduction in the use of fossil fuels, the proportional reduction in carbon dioxide emissions for each person who lives near a wind farm may be a small and intangible compensation” (2004:289). 

Q5. How many turbines were proposed for the wind farm?

The initial application for the Gynt-y-Mor wind farm was submitted in November 2005, and if permitted will include up to 200 turbines. 

Q6. What are the main factors in the assessment of wind farms?

Important factors in the assessment include wind farm and turbine design; the importance or significance of the seascape and the landscape from which it will be viewed; public access to the seashore; the effects on tourism and recreation. 

Q7. What did the residents feel was ignored?

Residents at local meetings felt that their points were ignored, and key local stakeholders such as hoteliers felt that their views had not been taken in account. 

Q8. What is the significance of place in the study?

Commenting on a previous study of responses to an onshore wind farm, Devine-Wright (2005a:134) notes the “relevance of place processes, both in describing how local opinion is constructed and in predicting perceptions of the development”. 

Q9. What are the main problems that have led to this high rejection rate?

The problems that have led to this high rejection rate include the visual impact of turbines in the landscape, a lack of suitable sites for them, their environmental impact, and public opposition. 

Q10. What are the constraints and exclusions relevant to offshore development?

Hartnell and Milborrow (2001:12) document the particular constraints and exclusions relevant to development offshore such as the slope of the sea bed; regions where dredging concessions existed; known dumping grounds for ammunition, explosives and other hazardous materials; shipping lanes; obstructions such as pipelines, cables and oil platforms; and nature conservation areas. 

Q11. What is the need for openness in the process?

Wolsink (2007b:1204) documents the need for “openness in the process and the avoidance of technocratic and corporatist and elite decision-making” about wind farms. 

Q12. What is the main reason for encouraging participation in planning?

Soerensen et al. (2001a), in their descriptions of the planning processes for offshore wind farms, seem to imply that involvement should be encouraged for pragmatic, rather than say, democratic reasons: the goal is to achieve a successful application to build a wind farm. 

Q13. What was the main reason why local councils refused permission to build wind farms?

Toke (2005) found that local resistance to onshore applications was the main reason why they were refused permission by local councils.