A MARATHON meeting saw people get the chance to have their say on the Navitus Bay wind farm plans yesterday.

The public took their chance to address a panel from the Planning Inspectorate, who will make the recommendation to the Secretary of State as to whether the controversial scheme, which would see as many as 194 turbines as high as 200 metres in the Solent, should get the green light.

More than 80 people asked to speak at Bournemouth International Centre.

While supporters pointed to green energy targets and relying less on fossil fuels and energy from abroad, objectors looked to visual impact, economic worries, bird migration, shipping, noise and health worries and the onshore impact of cabling.

Andy Woodland, manager of the Sandbanks Hotel, spoke for Bournemouth Tourism Management Board. He said that a 20 per cent reduction in visitors, predicted by Navitus Bay’s own survey, would be devastating.

Dr Martin Price, of East Dorset Friends of the Earth, said that local authorities coming out against the farm went against national and local environment policy.

Also in favour was Chris Lisher, chief executive and harbourmaster at Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, who said: “We need this wind farm to go ahead and bring with it significant local investment.”

The Planning Inspectorate will make its recommendation to the Secretary of State, who has the final say, in the spring.