Explosive specialist checks wind farm land

W11972H14 Drilling rig on the beach opposite Brooklands

A DRILLING rig was set up on the beach opposite Brooklands Pleasure Park this week to investigate the land as part of the Rampion wind farm project.

The Herald has learned an explosive detection specialist has been checking that the land is clear before drilling work begins.

Energy firm E.ON’s off- shore multi-turbine wind farm project could see major work take place at the Brooklands site from as early as January, 2015, if it is granted ‘compulsory acquisition rights’ over the land.

The Brooklands golf course and pitch and putt course will be dug up and electricity cables installed into the ground meaning the golfing facilities would not be available for a considerable amount of time.

The acquisition rights would also allow E.ON to chop down, lop or coppice trees, hedges and shrubs and construct access roads and fencing.

An application for the works under the Planning Act 2008 has been made to the Government’s Department for Communities and Local Government.

A spokesman from Worthing Borough Council said discussions were being held with E.ON and details would soon follow.