The application for the Navitus Bay Wind Park application has been accepted for examination.

The application for the proposed offshore wind farm was submitted on 10 April 2014 and the decision to accept the application to proceed has been made in accordance with section 55 of the Planning Act 2008 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011).

The application is for development consent to construct and operate the proposed Navitus Bay Wind Park, which comprises up to 194 wind turbine generators and associated onshore and offshore infrastructure, with an installed capacity of up to 970 MW (the Project). The Project would be located on the bed of the English Channel approximately 17.3 km off Scratchell's Bay (south of the Needles on the Isle of Wight) and 14.4 km from Durlston Head (on the Isle of Purbeck). The Turbine Area occupies an area of 153 km2.

When considering whether or not to accept an application for examination the Secretary of State has regard to the application documents submitted, any adequacy of consultation representations received from local authorities, and the extent to which the developer has had regard to any guidance issued. Other matters relating to the application will be considered by the Examining Authority during the examination and interested parties will have an opportunity take part in that process and make representations if they wish.

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The acceptance to proceed decision and a copy of the application can be viewed at the Navitus Bay Wind Park project page.

It is now for the applicant, Navitus Bay Development Ltd, to publicise the fact that its application has been accepted to proceed to examination and invite people who are interested in the proposal to register with the Planning Inspectorate as an interested party by making a relevant representation.

Once the period for registering as an interested party to make relevant representations has opened, people will easily be able to register online with the Planning Inspectorate by visiting the project's page and completing the online 'Registration and Relevant Representation form'.

Sir Michael Pitt, Chief Executive, Planning Inspectorate said: "After careful consideration we have decided on behalf of the Secretary of State that the application submitted by Navitus Bay Development Ltd met the required tests set out in the legislation to be accepted for examination.

"The applicant must now decide when to publicise the fact that its application has been accepted to proceed to examination and announce when members of the public will be able to register with the Planning Inspectorate as an interested party in the application."

(CD/MH)