RAF adds weight to wind turbines row
Military officials have warned RAF planes could be affected by proposals to build eight 125-metre turbines in the Lincolnshire countryside.
RAF bases at Waddington, Coningsby and Cranwell have been identified as sites that would be unable to provide a full Air Traffic Radar service if Enertrag UK erected turbines on land between Baumber and Wispington, near Horncastle.
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A view across land near Minting, from which the turbines would be visible.
A public consultation of the energy company's plans is on-going with residents expressing both objections and support for the project.
A letter from Ministry of Defence land manager Defence Estates said the 125-metre structures would cause "unacceptable interference" to radar and make it difficult to detect planes flying near or over them.
Defence Estates assistant safeguarding officer Cyranne Taylor said previous assessments of wind farms meant objections needed to be raised.
"Following trials carried out in 2005, it has been concluded that wind turbines can affect the probability of detection of aircraft flying over or in the vicinity of wind turbines," said Miss Taylor.
Air traffic management company NATS En Route Plc has raised a similar objection.
Enertrag UK project developer David Linley said: "We do a lot of work before we submit the planning application so we know what issues we have to factor in.
"However, there are certain issues and the MoD and airports object to almost everything. It's not a safety issue. The whole thing is really bravado in some respects from the MoD."
For more on the running battle, see Monday's Echo.











13 Comments
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by Gary, Minting
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 2:50PM
“My first reply is to 'me, here'. Whilst it is true that we need to find alternative means to generate electricity unfortunately wind is not, and can never be, an alternative to nuclear or fossil fuelled power stations. Wind can only ever provide an additional supply of electricity because on many days, and often the coldest, it does not blow; this is when we need all the existing power stations to supply our needs. However many thousand turbines litter our countryside not a single conventional power station would be able to close.
As regards the RAF's objection to the Baumber windfarm it must be borne in mind at all times that Enertrag have a huge financial interest in this disastrous project succeeding and will say anything, however ludicrous, to further their cause. We must all object to this planning application by writing to Mr. C.Panton at the Planning Dept. ELDC and registering our disaproval. It is ironic that in many ways we owe our freedom to openly discuss and object to things which we fear will harm us to the brave men and women of the RAF who gave their lives in the last war.”
by Ian watts, Sibsey
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 1:51PM
“So, Mr Linley thinks he knows more about radar operations than the entire technical expertise of the personnel at the MOD. I think this would cause most people 'in the know' grave concern - if the facts and figures bandied about by wind turbine companies (that they would have us believe) were applied in this situation then I imagine we would have aircraft falling out of the sky within days. The RAF have a superb safety record whilst maintaining a vital training / excercise program and looking after the defence of the country. You have a vested interest Mr Linley - come forward with an independant scientific report and offer to build these electricity generating plants at minimal profit taking no grants or subsidies (of our) money in the process and ensuring no additional wildlife or conservation detriment then we just may start to take you seriously. Otherwise please do not make any more stupid comments like this or you may find that what little support you have left for this type of development quickly vanishes.”
by John Mussett, Old Leake
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 12:18PM
“These airbases are our frontline against airborne attack, the last thing they need is their eyes, their radar, to be obscured. Triangulation wastes time, and in modern warfare time is very precious. As a one-time radar man I know the deleterious effects that certain objects can have on the quality of the information coming in. Computers cannot fix all the problems.”
by me, here
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 12:03PM
“Oo that toughed an ill informed nerve!!
I am by now means detracting from the brave people who make the decision to join the forces,or the families of those who are unfortunate not to have returned with their health or lives.
*HOWEVER*..... why are we at war, is it anything to do with defending this country?? or is it about taking power and an ideal geographical location for missile sites so we can intimidate other nations??? Does Afghanistan actually threaten our shore lines constantly?? Are we seriously at risk from terrorists??
If you want to talk terrorism then lets look at the facts about making people have a vaccination (that has not been adequately tested adn the situation is most likely the same as the influenza vaccine of 1976 which was linked to a devastating neurological condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)) from a disease that is constantly hyped up in the media for no real reason other than to divert the attention of the nation!!!”
by Richard, Hemingby
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 10:57AM
“So Mr. Linley of Enertrag wants to dictate national security and low flying aircraft safety issues now! I can't say I am surprised, afterall he has carried out a laughable consultation involving almost nobody so how could he know. How could he be aware that Lincolnshire always has been and always will be an Air Force county with close links to the men and women of the RAF.
It is no surprise at all that this little man is being squeezed from all directions with strong and well determined arguments against this futile plan to industrialise the Edge of the Wolds. His feeble Environmental Impact Assessment (I use the term loosely) is so full of holes it could have been bombed by the RAF themselves. Seemingly they have just scored a direct hit.
Either way the fight is being taken to the door of this amateurish company looking to profit from the misery of local people and perfectly willing to compromise the military and civil radar integrity of the region.
Good luck Enertrag it seems you have underestimated the Ministry of Defence, The UK Air Traffic Control Service and the resilient people of Lincolnshire.
I look forward to your abject failure.
Richard”