Equnior’s 714MW Dudgeon and Sheringham extensions off Norfolk, which secured planning permission on Wednesday, will impact vital colonies of amber-listed local seabirds, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
In a statement following the announcement that the offshore wind projects had been granted development consent by the UK Government, the RSPB said Sandwich Terns from North Norfolk would be affected.
Katie-jo Luxton (pictured), the RSPB’s director of conservation, said: “Offshore wind has an essential part to play in decarbonising our energy systems to achieve net zero and mitigate the effects of climate change.
“But the lack of proper consideration of marine nature in planning these wind farms is forcing internationally important seabird populations to pay a heavy price.
“These decisions add more infrastructure to one of the busiest areas of our seas, piling more pressure on already struggling seabird populations which feed off the North Norfolk coast.
“Guillemots and red-listed Kittiwakes are already being negatively impacted by offshore wind farms in the increasingly crowded southern North Sea.
“The approval of Dudgeon and Sheringham extensions will now also impact vital colonies of amber-listed Sandwich Terns from North Norfolk.”
She added: “Protecting our under-pressure seabird populations and degraded marine environment, itself central to mitigating climate change, must be at the heart of all decision making.
“There is willingness across the board to address these issues, but it needs political leadership and a fit-for-purpose planning system that avoids sensitive areas from the start.”
Equinor has been contacted for a comment.