Sponsored by
Planning: RAF objection halts plans for two wind turbine sites
TWO separate applications for wind turbine plants have been refused by planning councillors after concerns from Ministry of Defence about effects on the RAF flight paths.
TWO separate applications for wind turbine plants have been refused by planning councillors after concerns from Ministry of Defence about effects on the RAF flight paths.The erection of seven wind turbines at Nutsgrove Farm, near Thorney, and a further six wind turbines at Wrydecroft, also near Thorney, were both up for debate yesterday.
However, both applications were recommended for refusal by city council planning officers after the MOD objected to the plans which thy said would jeopardise the safety of its military aircraft.
The MOD, in its reports to the council, said: "The proposed wind turbine development would unacceptably affect radar systems to the degree that it would not be possible to provide a safe air traffic system to military and non-military aircraft in the area(s)." Chairman of Fenland Against Rural Turbines (FART), and former serviceman Phil Potts, spoke at great lengths against both applications and echoed the sentiments of the MOD.
He followed a number of residents, who live close to both of the proposed wind turbine plants, in raising objections ranging from poor broadband reception to the problems caused by shadow flicker.
Mr Potts said: "Wind turbines are already causing trouble with the RAF. It's not just one, there are a number of sites that the MOD is looking at.
"They're trying to give back-up to our troops and these developments will have problems for four local sites, including RAF Wittering."
One resident, Anne Taylor, raised particular heartfelt concerns about how the shadow flicker affects her son - who suffers from epilepsy.
She said: "Doctors have said that the flicker effect could trigger a seizure and affect his quality of life. What happens if my son cycles down the road and gets affected by the flicker?"
Councillors agreed with their planning officers and refused both of the wind turbine applications on a number of grounds, including the affect to RAF sites.
The applicant for the Nutsgrove Farm application – WPR Wind – said they had already appealed the decision. Renewable Energy Systems, the applicant for Wrydecroft, said they would discuss their next move in the coming days.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.