GREEN Party members in Dorset have written to Prime Minister David Cameron urging him to back the controversial Navitus Bay windfarm.

It comes as developers behind the project announce the creation of £8.6 million in funding to be ploughed into jobs and skills.

Navitus Bay, which is awaiting a decision on its planned turbines off the Dorset coast, said the money would maximise the job creation potential of the scheme.

The funding is part of the s.106 Agreement, negotiated with local authorities within the project area and submitted alongside the planning application. It will be made fully available if the project achieves development consent, due to be announced by the government in September.

Opponents say the windfarm will damage the coastline and cost jobs in the tourism industry which will be heavily affected.

But supporters point to the project's green credentials and the fact it will bring big economic benefits fro the area.

Portland Port is being considered alongside Poole Port to host the construction of the site, and for it to be the base of the project after it is completed.

Kelvin Clayton, chairman of the West and South Dorset Green Party said: “We are telling the Prime Minister that offshore wind farms are among the cheapest ways of providing clean, safe, sustainable energy.

"We are also asking Mr Cameron to explain why his government seems so keen to encourage people to protest over wind farms, while he is making it increasingly hard for local communities to object to fracking licences.

"We appreciate that many people are worried about the impact of the wind farm off the Dorset coast. But we believe anyone genuinely concerned with the future of the Jurassic Coast and our tourism industry should be a lot more alarmed at the prospect of fracking in Dorset than the presence of wind turbines miles out to sea."

He added: "The real threat to Dorset’s prosperity and sustainability comes from global warming. Rising sea levels threaten not just Dorset’s World Heritage site but also the coastal communities living alongside it."

Local employers and training providers will have access to the £4.3 million Skills Fund announced by Navitus Bay It will enable the skills and employment needs of the project – and offshore wind in the country more generally – to be met. Meanwhile, a £4.3 million Supply Chain Engagement Fund will be used to promote and support supply chain opportunities for local businesses in the area.

Mike Unsworth, Project Director of Navitus Bay, said: “Navitus Bay is committed to ensuring that the economic benefits of the project are felt across the South Coast.

"This includes opening up supply chain opportunities to the local business community and ensuring that the skills and training needed to ensure job creation are provided.

"The creation of £8.6 million in funding will ensure that these opportunities are maximised and that the local authorities, employment bodies and business representatives can be involved in the process.”