THE construction of a proposed wind farm off the Dorset coast could put the Jurassic Coast’s World Heritage status at risk, according to a planning chief.

On Friday, members of Dorset County Council’s planning committee will meet to discuss and agree the proposed contents of a Local Impact Report that it is required to put together for the Planning Inspectorate ahead of a decision being made over the Navitus Bay project.

While recognising the potential energy supply benefits upon completion and economic boons during the construction phase, a report from head of planning Don Gobbett warns that tourism could suffer, the visual impact for residents could be unacceptable and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site could be put on an ‘at risk’ register.

Currently, it shares a place on the list with sites such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Acropolis in Greece and the Taj Mahal in India.

David Lloyd, of opposition group Challenge Navitus, said: “It’s a very real possibility. What we want is for the UK government to put in an exclusion zone where no development is allowed around World Heritage sites, like has been done in France.

“We’re looking for Dorset County Council to come out and strongly oppose this in line with public opinion.”

Project director Mike Unsworth said that the next round of consultation in February will give residents far more detail than previously.

A spokesman for Navitus Bay added: “We understand and appreciate the significance of the World Heritage Site status to the local community, which is why we have met with the Jurassic Coast steering group to explain our plans in considerable detail.”

Because of the scale of the project a final decision will be taken by the National Infrastructure Directorate of the Planning Inspectorate.