July 31, 2015
England

Army’s air safety concerns put Seighford turbine plans on hold

Staffordshire Newsletter | July 31, 2015 | www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk

Plans to increase the height of two wind turbines to be built in Seighford have been put on hold because of concerns about air safety.

Gemma Clark already has planning permission for the turbines but wants to increase their height by nearly 60 feet and 52 feet in diameter.

If approved the turbines would stand at 147 feet and 115 feet respectively and the rotor diameter would be 137 feet.

The MoD have submitted a partial response asking for red lights that flash every second to be installed on them for air safety. A full response is expected from them today.

Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee was told: “The MOD state that in the interests of air safety they request that the development be fitted with aviation safety lighting and that both turbines are fitted with 25 candela omni-directional red lighting or infrared lighting with an optimised flash pattern of 60 flashes per minute of 200ms to 500ms at the highest practicable point.”

Councillor Brian Price said: “I’m concerned about the fact they’re going to put a 60 strokes a minute flashing red light at a height of about 115 feet adjacent to the motorway. I think it’s got to go to highways again for their comments.”

Planning officers had recommended the application for land at Ashes Covert, in Seighford Lane, in spite of objections from two parish councils and 13 residents.

Network Rail said permission would be needed for cars to access the site because they need to cross the track they own.

Ward Councillor Stephen Leighton called the plans before the committee saying: “The main concern is the height of this turbine and its overall size.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/07/31/armys-air-safety-concerns-put-seighford-turbine-plans-on-hold/