Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's objections to wind farm proposals 18 kilometres from the RAF Odiham base; and if he will make a statement. [88212]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence deals with every wind energy proposal individually and each one is given a full and thorough appraisal by at least seven separate Technical Advisors, each with their own specialism including Radar, Low Flying, Communication Links and Met Office Radar. Changing the location by less than a mile could, in some cases, make the difference between the MOD raising an objection or not. From information supplied by the proposed developer, such an appraisal was conducted for the site near to RAF Odiham. Objections have been raised to avoid a compromise of safety.
Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the time taken by his Department to object to a proposal for a wind farm in the Nunney area in Somerset; and if he will make a statement. [88211]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence deals with every wind energy proposal individually and each one is given a full and thorough appraisal by at least seven separate Technical Advisors, each with their own specialism including Radar, Low Flying, Communication Links and Met Office Radar. The number of proposals received, in excess of 1,000 this year compared to some 340 last year, impacts on the speed with which the experts involved are able to produce advice.