Eneco Energie was awarded seabed land rights to develop a Round 3 offshore wind farm by The Crown Estate in 2010.

Initial estimates were that around 30% of the 723 km2 (279 sq mi) zone could be used for wind farm development, giving a capacity of ~900 MW.

The report proposed a single 77 square miles (200 km2) wind farm located in the middle northern part of the development zone, over 8 miles from both Durlston Head (Isle of Purbeck), and The Needles (Isle of Wight), with water depths of 28 to 55 metres (92 to 180 ft).

[4] By mid-2012 a cable landfall location had been selected at Taddiford Gap between Barton on Sea and Milford on Sea; with an underground onshore cable route of approximately 35 kilometres (22 mi) connecting to a new substation at Mannington, where a connection at 400 kV to the existing National Grid would be made.

[14] In late 2013, Robert Syms (MP for Poole) argued against the project in parliament, citing concerns including impact on the tourism industry; the wind farm was also opposed by group "Challenge Navitus" on the basis that it was too large and inappropriately placed, as well concerns about a potential negative environmental impact.