Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made and to whom against proposals for offshore wind farms off(a) Cromer and (b) the coast of Lancashire; and if he will make a statement. [55578]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence has made known its objections to these offshore windfarm proposals to both the Department of Trade and Industry and to the developers concerned. Discussions continue with the developers.
London Power's proposed site off Cromer is close to the Cromer Air Defence Radar and therefore the MOD has objected because the siting of wind turbines close to such installations can produce false returns on radar screens.
The proposed sites off Lancashire by Shell and Energie Kontor lie within 15 miles of the airfield at British Aerospace Systems Ltd Warton and give rise to similar issues of potential radar interference.