MoD withdraws objection to Routh wind farm
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has withdrawn its objection to an East Riding wind farm.
The move came on the final day of a public inquiry into a 12-turbine scheme at Hall Farm, Routh, near Beverley.
Wind farm business RidgeWind Ltd is appealing against East Riding Council’s refusal to allow the development.
Earlier in the inquiry the MoD said the proposed 100m-high turbines could interfere with radars, which were vital in guiding aircraft and identifying threats.
It also stated that the air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS), which uses the radars, to help avoid mid-air collisions, would not be able to distinguish between turbine blades and aircraft.
However, on the day when final submissions were heard, the Ministry withdrew its opposition to the plans.
It accepted an offer of mitigation by RidgeWind to provide coverage through a non-military radar.
The MoD withdrew its objection on the condition that: “Ridgewind meets the capital costs” of implementing the system.
During the proceedings the council’s barrister Megan Thomas warned the stunning views of Beverley Minster and St Mary’s Church would be obscured if the wind farm was built.
She also argued the East Riding was already set to exceed its renewable energy targets so the farm was not necessary.
However, David Goodman, representing RidgeWind, said the wind farm would bring £5m to the economy and any negatives would be out-weighed by positives.
He also argued the new radar system would “improve” coverage.
The Secretary of State’s planning inspector Christopher Frost is expected to make a decision in the autumn.
25 July 2008
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