October 31, 2013
Scotland

Wind turbine plans scrapped after plane fears

by David Hepburn | Kirkintilloch Herald | 30 October 2013 www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk

Air traffic control chiefs have taken the wind out of an application to build a wind turbine – after raising concerns about air safety.

A company called Intelligent Land Investments had applied to East Dunbartonshire Council to build one of the energy generating structures at Badenheath Farm, in Kirkintilloch’s Mollins Road.

The application was for “a single wind turbine comprising a hub height of up to 32.2m and a rotor blade diameter of 27m resulting in a maximum tip height of 45.7m.

But the application to build the huge rotor was withdrawn after the council received a submission from Air Traffic Control which raised objections to the development on safety grounds.

It was the second unsuccessful attempt to build a turbine on the site, following a previous application last year.

Wind turbines have blades which can move at up to 160mph and create blind spots for pilots trying to land aircraft – the radar distortion can mean aircraft effectively ‘disappear’ to air traffic ontrollers.

The National Air Traffic Services (Nats), the body that monitors British airspace, block just under 10 per cent of applications for wind turbines.

A spokesperson said: “We only object to a small number of proposals that are assessed as being within line of radar sight.

“Our primary duty is to protect the safety and integrity of the air traffic control system and we will make representations where we believe there is a safety risk.

“Of course we recognise the benefits of wind turbines and renewable energy sources, which is why we are committed to seeking a strategic solution.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/10/31/wind-turbine-plans-scrapped-after-plane-fears/