§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received on the proposal for wind turbines in the Thames Estuary; and if she will make a statement. [169750]
§ Mr. TimmsOn 16 March I met representatives from the Chamber of Shipping, Trinity House, the Port of London Authority and the British Marine Aggregate Producers Association for a general discussion on a number of navigation related issues in relation to the 15 proposed Round 2 offshore wind farms, 4 of which are planned in the Thames Estuary. To date my Department has not received any development consent applications for a Round 2 wind farm. Before developers can submit applications they must undertake a full environmental impact assessment including a navigational risk assessment in consultation with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and other shipping interests. To ensure that all views on consent applications are taken into account, at the time developers submit applications for consent to my department they must advertise the project in both national and local press so that any person can make representations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. All representations are then taken into consideration before a decision is made on whether to give consent.