A COMPANY has been given temporary planning permission to use a Hampshire quarry to store wind turbine blades destined for the North Sea.

Mitsubishi Vesta Offshore Wind has been told it can use part of Fawley Quarry in Calshot Road, Calshot, until the end of next year.

The proposal has been approved by the New Forest National Park Authority.

A report to members said the applicant made wind turbine blades on the Isle of Wight and transported them by barge to the former Fawley power station, where they were painted and stored.

The report added: "There will be insufficient capacity on the sire for storage in the next two years.

"It is not possible to extend the storage area due to the current demolition operations.

"The application is for the temporary use of part of Fawley Quarry for the open storage of wind turbine blades until December 31 2022.

"The proposed use is not one which would ordinarily be appropriate within a National Park landscape. However, a case has been made for a temporary use within this unique site.

"There would be no detrimental visual impact on the landscape of the National Park in the long-term and the temporary proposal would not conflict with the objective of restoration of the quarry.

"No lighting is proposed and noise generation would remain within the

consented limits for the quarry.

"Impacts on the historic environment and ecology have been assessed and there is no objection in respect of these matters."