#FerryWindFarm – The Isle of Man Steam Packet website has posted a piece about the proposed extension to the Walney Offshore Wind Farm following a public hearing of the UK Planning Inspectorate as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

Also attending the hearing were the Isle of Man Government, Travelwatch Isle of Man, the Island's Chamber of Commerce and a variety of other bodies with interests in shipping who have outlined concerns about the proposal.

The plans for development off the Cumbrian coast submitted by Dong Energy, were considered during a hearing held last week at the Villa Marina in Douglas, and the cumulative impact of proposed offshore wind farm developments in the Irish Sea was also discussed.

Air navigation matters were explored in the morning session as wind farms impact on radar cover for aircraft. The impact on sea navigation and safety, as well as the social and economic implications for the Island, were discussed in the afternoon session.

Steam Packet Company Commercial Director John Watt explained there could be a serious economic impact on the Isle of Man.

The piece posted on the ferry company website also shows a chart of the area outlining proposed extended wind-farms and an illustration comparing the scale in size between the Steam-Packet's ro-pax Ben-My-Chree, the wind-turbines and Blackpool Tower.