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Wind Turbine Manufacturing at Sheerness – Planning application submitted

For Immediate Release - 24 January 2012

Port of Sheerness Ltd has submitted a planning application for the development of a wind turbine manufacturing (WTM) facility. The application was made following months of research and preparation including an extensive programme of consultation.

The fully integrated manufacturing facility is proposed by Vestas Wind Systems A/S. Once completed, it would be one of the largest manufacturing facilities of its type in Europe and would include nacelle assembly and blade manufacturing for Vestas' new V164-7.0 Megawatt (MW) offshore wind turbine. The turbines would be supplied to the UK designated zones for offshore wind power, together with other emerging Northern European offshore markets. It is anticipated the WTM facility when fully operational could create around 2000 new jobs, direct and indirect, in the local and wider area.

Lars Eriksen, chief project manager from Vestas said: "The planning application is a significant milestone which brings us a step closer towards making this project a reality. Subject to planning consent and a satisfactory order pipeline for the V164-7.0 MW turbine, our aim will be to move into the construction phase as quickly as possible, so as to be in a position to begin operations in 2015."

Paul Kavanagh, managing director of Peel Ports Medway said: "The planning application sets out our proposals for a thriving Port over the next 30 years and beyond. It makes good use of the considerable land and assets we have available at Sheerness, enabling us to meet the requirements of most of our existing customers as well as to accommodate Vestas' brand new manufacturing facility, securing the long term economic well being of the area."

The land required for the proposed development includes quaysides, berths and other facilities within the main Port, together with an extensive area of previously reclaimed land to the south, known as Lappel Bank. The 'hybrid' planning application for the WTM development comprises outline planning permission for the new buildings and associated storage areas and full planning permission for the 'enabling works' to the docks, quays and the access road.

Councillor Andrew Bowles, Leader of Swale Borough Council said: "This is a really exciting project and we are tremendously pleased that the planning application has been submitted because it shows the project is moving ahead. Obviously the application has to be rigorously and objectively assessed by the planning committee, and this is the next stage." A decision is expected by the end of May.

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