MoD join windfarm protest

December 3, 2003 09:24

Villagers campaigning against controversial plans for a new windfarm have got the Ministry of Defence on their side.

Residents at Deopham Green, near Wymondham, were horrified to learn of Enertrag's proposal to build six giant 120m high turbines on a former wartime airbase and farm land in the village.

They claim the development would harm the environment, causing noise pollution and blighting outstanding views over open countryside for miles around.

Actor Martin Shaw and his wife, TV presenter Vicky Kimm, have joined the local action group set up to fight the development. And the Ministry of Defence has revealed it will object to building wind turbines at the site because of potential interference with vital radar installations.

Chris Evans, the MoD's wind energy spokesman, said: "After the terrorist events in America on September 11 they decided to review all our air defence systems and increase the safeguard around them, just for security purposes.

"If the turbine falls within a 74km radius in 'line of sight' of an air defence radar, which is when it can be seen by radar or appears on the screen, then we would object."

He explained that Deopham Green fell into this category as it was line of sight of Air Traffic Control radar installations at RAF Lakenheath and Coltishall, and air defence radar at Trimingham.

Mr Evans said the MoD had similar objections to Enertrag's windfarm schemes at Guestwick, near Reepham, and Flixton, near Bungay.

Linda I'Anson, Deopham action group spokesman, said it was extremely heartened by the news.

"We have sent a seven-page letter to the district council and Enertrag detailing all our areas of concern. There are a lot of issues and we have done a lot of research into areas like environmental impact.

"The MoD has now confirmed that the windfarm will be in the way of their radar, and we are hoping it will cut it dead."

However, Enertrag project manager David Linley stressed they had consulted the MoD, the RAF and English Nature, before identifying potential sites for windfarms.

"We honestly believe there is a so much misinformation out at the moment about windfarms.

"It is sad that people think they are noisy. Whether they are a blot on the landscape is subjective, I cannot make people like them or hate them," he said.

"We will only go ahead with developments where all the aspects can be eliminated or mitigated."