A SERIES of public exhibitions will be taking place about a proposed wind park off the Dorset coast.

From this Monday until Thursday, November 12, members of the public will be able to attend ‘drop in’ sessions across the county and find out more information about the proposed wind park development.

Eneco Wind UK representatives will also be on hand to answer any questions the public may have and to explain the project’s current status and next steps.

Last January, Eneco was awarded the rights to apply for planning consent to develop an offshore wind park off the Dorset and Hampshire coasts and to the west of the Isle of Wight.

Eneco will be developing around 30 per cent of the 280-square-mile zone, which is expected to provide at least 900MW of capacity.

This will translate into enough renewable power to generate more than 600,000 homes.

The final design, layout and ultimate capacity of the offshore wind park will be determined only after comprehensive engagement with all parties involving the general public, local authorities and community and environmental groups.

This engagement activity has already begun with one-to-one meetings taking place and events like those held in Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight in June this year.

If the planning application is given the go-ahead, construction is set to begin in 2016, with the offshore wind park being fully operational by 2018.

Project director Chris Sherrington said: “The public exhibitions will provide the general public with a great opportunity to learn more about the proposed development.

“It will also give the Eneco team a chance to understand the opinions of those in close proximity to the project and discuss views they may have about the development.”

* The public exhibitions will be held in Dorset between November 1 and 4 at the following locations:

* Monday, November 1, from 2pm until 8pm – The Pavilion Theatre, Weymouth.

* Tuesday, November 2, from 2pm until 8pm – The Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth.

* Wednesday, November 3, from 2pm until 8pm – The Lifeboat College, Poole.

* Thursday, November 4, from 2pm until 8pm – The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.