DEVELOPERS behind a scheme to build a giant wind farm off the Isle of Wight say they are listening to the public’s views – and could amend their plans as a result.

Dutch energy firm Eneco has been talking to organisations about plan to construct the offshore Navitus Bay wind park.

The proposed site would cover 76 square miles off the Hampshire and Dorset coasts and contain up to 240 wind turbines.

Hampshire-based Royal Yachting Association (RYA) had previously hit out at the location of the site, which is off the west coast of the Isle of Wight.

They said the chosen area, about 8.4 miles from The Needles, is busy and important for sailing.

The wind farm’s develop ers have been holding informal talks with the public for the last 18 months.

The company has met with stakeholder groups including local councils, the yachting and sailing community and environmental groups such as Natural England.

They have also held a number of public information days along the coast.

“It has been going well,” said an Eneco spokesman. “We want to keep members of the public as informed as possible with the plans and development.”

He added: “If there’s enough feedback on a certain issue theoretically there could be some modifications to the plans.”

When asked if this could include a reduced number of wind turbines he said the exact amount will depend on how much power each of the specific turbines can generate.

Asked whether the location of the site could alter, the spokesman said: “It could change, it really depends on the sort of feedback we get.”

But he added that the location depends on a number of constraints – such as shipping routes, recreational activity and whether that part of the seabed can be built on – alongside the visual impact.

The formal consultation period is scheduled to start in early 2012.

The company is expected to put in a planning application in 2013.

If they get the go-ahead, the wind farm is expected to be built between 2016-19.

“We can provide reassurance that we will try and minimise navigational risks as much as possible,” said the Eneco spokes-man. “We are very aware that the south coast has a very prominent boating community and we will be working with the RYA to ensure that any impact of the development on the recreational activity will be as minimal as possible.”

For information, visit navitusbaywindpark.co.uk.