Wind Farms (Hansard, 15 May 2002)

§ Ms Drown
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many wind farm proposals his Department has opposed in the last three years; and where those proposals were situated. [56413]

§ Dr. Moonie
Of the 506 proposals received during the last three years. the Ministry of Defence has objected to a total of 238. There have been a greater number of objections within the three tactical training areas (in central Wales, north Scotland and the border region of northern England/southern Scotland), but out of these areas there is no set pattern as to where the objections lie.

§ Ms Drown
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which areas are unsuitable for the building of wind farms because of the effect on radar and low-flying aircraft. [56415]

§ Dr. Moonie
All wind farm proposals are considered individually by the Ministry of Defence, on a case-by-case basis, which examines their potential effects on our ability to train pilots safely and on operational capabilities.
In some circumstances wind turbines have the potential adversely to affect radar and other communications depending on their position in relation to particular installations. Research is currently under way with the Department of Trade and Industry to address this issue.
The presence of wind turbines in most areas of the United Kingdom would present no difficulty to low flying aircraft because these and other naturally tall structures are taken into account as part of route planning.
The United Kingdom has three specially designated tactical training areas (TTA) that are available for authorised military operational low flying training.
The three TTAs are located in central Wales, north Scotland and the border region of northern England/ southern Scotland. Within these areas military fast jets may operate down to a height of 100 ft separation distance and a proliferation of obstacles could negate the value of the training. Units also make use of these areas for 644W specialised night training. In these areas wind farm developments may compromise flight safety to an unacceptable level.