RAF objections to wind turbines
Unmanageable interference would be caused to the radar at RAF Leeming by four 132-metre tall wind turbines, the Ministry of Defence says, warning their height would also cause a serious obstruction to the safe movement of aircraft.
But the plans are still being recommended for approval.
Novera Energy plc wants to erect the turbines on undulating farmland south of the A684 at Winton, four kilometres north-east of Northallerton and 3.6 kilometres from the boundary of the North York Moors National Park.
The wind farm project is only the second of its type to be considered by Hambleton District Council, which has been set a target of achieving 40 megawatt of renewable energy by 2010 and 97MW by 2021. It has already rejected a planning application at Seamer near Stokesley.
The Novera scheme would have the potential to generate between 10MW and 13.2MW depending on the type of turbine selected. Although the National Air Traffic Services has no safeguarding objection, the Ministry of Defence has objected.
It said: “The MoD’s main concern is that wind turbines at this location will cause unmanageable interference to the primary surveillance radar at RAF Leeming.
“All of the turbines will be in direct line of sight. Where rotating turbines are visible to a radar they will create radar returns which can appear as a solid moving object similar to an aircraft.
“Radar operators will therefore be unable to distinguish between a genuine radar return from a moving aircraft and the rotating turbine blades. The radar returns created by these turbines will generate ‘clutter’ on radar operators’ screens which will obscure aircraft flying in the vicinity of the turbines.”
The MoD also has concerns about the height of the turbines. “The erection of structures 125 metres above ground level at this location will cause a physical obstruction to the critical airspace encompassing RAF Leeming within which all takeoff and landing procedures are conducted. The turbines will infringe this critical airspace by between 36 metres and 44 metres and will therefore cause a serious obstruction to the safe movement of aircraft.”
The MoD is in discussion with Novera, which has commissioned an independent consultant to try to find a solution. But Hambleton Council has taken legal advice and says granting permission with what is known as a ‘Grampian style condition’ is appropriate if a technical solution advanced by the applicant has a reasonable prospect of implementation.
The wind farm is opposed by Osmotherley Parish Council and Northallerton Town Council.
Osmotherley said it would be detrimental to the immediate and wider area on grounds of size, visual impact, noise, traffic and highways disturbance.
“Additionally the power output of the proposal does not justify the intrusion caused to the community at large. Already there is a major power line running through the open landscape and the additional prospect of this scheme is deemed to be excessive.”
When the planning committee meets on Thursday members will be recommended to approve the turbines. Their planning officer Jonathan Saddington said: “The key question is whether the harm experienced by a relatively small number of neighbouring residents is so detrimental that it outweighs the wider public interests of tackling climate change by reducing carbon emissions and contributing to the UK becoming energy self-sufficient.
“It is considered that the likely detrimental impact is outweighed by the wider public interests and therefore no objection should be maintained on the grounds of visual impact and landscape sensitivity.”
Yorkshire Post
9 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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