MoD objects to wind farm plans
AVIATION experts are set to clash over the impact a proposed wind farm at Routh, near Beverley, could have on radar installations.
Twelve huge turbines could endanger aircraft flying over the region, a public inquiry into the controversial development will hear on Tuesday.
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'UNACCEPTABLE IMPACT': The Ministry of Defence claims a wind farm at Routh, like the one pictured, could interfere with radars which are vital in guiding aircraft
Wind farm business RidgeWind Ltd is appealing against East Riding Council's refusal to allow the development at Hall Farm in Routh.
The eight-day inquiry started at the council's offices in Skirlaugh on Tuesday, and will finish next Friday.
In a Ministry of Defence statement, Squadron Leader Neal Henley said he believed the turbines could interfere with radars which were vital in guiding aircraft and identifying potential threats.
He explained the Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS), which uses the radars, helped avoid mid-air collisions.
RidgeWind will also be producing aviation experts to challenge the MoD's opposition to the plans.
The inquiry has already heard objections from East Riding Council, Routh residents, Beverley Civic Society and the local Ramblers' Association.
Witnesses have also been heard for RidgeWind, which is proposing to build the 100m-high turbines on land at Hall Farm.
Planning inspector Chris Frost's decision is not expected until autumn.
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by Jim, In the wilderness
Sunday, July 06 2008, 12:04PM
“Why doesn't this same theory apply to very large buildings etc try the approaches to Heathrow ,there are plenty of tall buildings in London or is just a Yorkshire thing?”
by Patrick Steel, Melbourne, Australia
Saturday, July 05 2008, 11:04PM
“When I was a Radar apprentice at RAF locking in Somerset back in the early 70s, we regularly used to pick up the severn bridge on our screens, and in Germany we used to pick up the engines of local farmers tractors on our SAM (Missile) radars. Dont recall any planes crashing back then or complaints from the RAF. We knew they were there and we worked around them, although we did almost shoot down a combine harvester once !!”
by Michael, hull
Saturday, July 05 2008, 8:33PM
“Madness how can a wind turbine effect a plane flying so high up? Maybe they realise that carbon has very little effect on climate change, and i was under the impression that carbon was a life giving gas? don;t plants need it to grow? and don't we humans breath it out? sorry about the rant i just hate being lied to about somthing like this... although i do think we should have other sources of energy”
by Dafta, nr. Hull
Saturday, July 05 2008, 7:57PM
“What are these potential threats?.. and how does a wind turbine interfere with radar?.. you've gotta be kidding! only way I can possibly think of is turning the turbines up to blow away their Chemtrails they like to poison with and claim its for a grid communication system...allegedly.”
by Peter, Krakatoa, west of Java
Saturday, July 05 2008, 6:36PM
“I see Dave, Hessle is spreading his atrocious knowledge of the English language again:
"been" instead of "being"; "feed" instead of "fed"; "compliment" instead of "complement".
Tut, tut!”