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Inquiry: Wind turbine threat to RAF fighter jets
A PUBLIC inquiry has begun into the building of 13 wind turbines near Peterborough, amid fears they could cause RAF radar systems to crash.
A PUBLIC inquiry has begun into the building of 13 wind turbines near Peterborough, amid fears they could cause RAF radar systems to crash.The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is among the objectors to two wind farms outside of Thorney, which it said could create dangers to pilots flying Harrier jets in preparation to go to Afghanistan.
Renewable Energy Systems (RES) wants to build six 100m-high turbines at Wryde Croft and WPR Wind, a joint venture between Wind Prospect Developments and Ridge Wind, wants to install seven 102m-tall turbines at nearby Nutsgrove.
Planning inspector Alan Langton opened the inquiry at Bridge House, in Peterborough, on Tuesday, when the parties involved made their opening statements.
The MOD said that the individual rotor blades of the turbines could cause Precision Approach Radar's (PAR) to glitch when guiding aircraft into RAF Wittering.
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Its opening statement, delivered by David Jones, said: "The MOD is concerned that the PAR is likely to identify individual turbines - and possibly individual blades - as separate targets, in which case its processing capacity may become overloaded.
"This could cause the PAR to ditch the weakest signals, likely to be those of aircraft, or possibly even crash."
Both WPR Wind and RES opened their arguments by stating that the installation of wind turbines is crucial if the East of England is to meet its renewable energy targets by 2020.
RES went so far as to criticise the planning system itself, which severely restricts the development of renewable energy sites.
Its opening statement read: "Perhaps less seen by the public, although so well known to developers, are other challenges in the form of more or less severe constraints on wind energy developments.
"Good wind farm sites are just not that easy to find."
Also in attendance was local protest group Fenland Against Rural Turbines (FenART), which denounced the proposals as "developers seeing an opportunity where locals see a haven".
They intend to call Jane Davis to provide evidence. Along with her husband Julian, she has become one of the first people to bring a High Court nuisance case against a wind farm.
The couple claim their health has been affected by the wind farm near their home at Deeping St Nicholas, Lincolnshire.
FenART's fight has been championed by MP John Hayes, whose constituency of South Holland and the Deepings has a border near the site of the proposed turbines at Nutsgrove.
He has sent a letter to Mr Langton ahead of the inquiry presenting arguments against the turbines, including claims that they would have a detrimental impact upon the Fenland landscape.
It said: "Nearby properties and the local environment would be unacceptably harmed by the proximity and number of turbines."
The inquiry will take place over three weeks, with closing arguments expected on December 10.
The rest of this week will feature evidence from objectors and supporters, before planning evidence begins next Tuesday. Discussions over a financial contribution to the communities affected will take place on December 9.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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