A multi-million pound plan to build the world's largest wind farm off the Tendring coast is set to get the environmental green light

GE Wind Energy put forward plans to the Government at the end of last year for the scheme seven kilometres south-east of Clacton

The company had to provide an environmental statement to support the project, and Tendring councillors are likely to give it the green light when they meet next week.

It means the scheme will have cleared a major milestone.

The council is able to make comments to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the wind farm, which will consist of 30 giant turbines producing enough electricity to supply 85,000 homes.

Provided there are no last minute hitches, it is hoped to start work this autumn and finish about six months later.

Roger Stewart, Tendring Council's assistant chief executive, said the council had to consider the benefits of providing a means of creating a new source of renewable energy which was clearly in the national interest.

Mr Stewart added that public opinion was not against the wind farm and it would provide a number of socio-economic benefits which would weigh in its favour.

Published Thursday, January 16, 2003

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