MoD objects to Bempton wind turbine plan

The MoD believes wind turbines can have a "detrimental" effect on the operation of radar

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has objected to proposals to erect a wind turbine at Bempton in East Yorkshire.

The application for a 46m (150ft) high turbine was lodged with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council by a local farmer in 2011.

The MoD said the turbine could interfere with radar operations from nearby RAF Staxton Wold.

Planners will make a decision on the application for Cliff Lane later this year.

The MoD said in a statement that trials carried out in 2005 suggested wind turbines could have a detrimental effect on the operation of radar.

The statement continued: "The probability of the radar detecting aircraft flying over or in the vicinity of the turbines would be reduced, and the RAF would be unable to provide a full air surveillance service in the area of the proposed wind farm."

The proposal has already attracted concern from local residents who have formed the Bempton Residents Against Turbines group to fight the application.

Resident, Bernard Traves, said the turbine would be visible from Filey Bay.

He said: "This turbine will be approximately one and a half times taller than the Flamborough lighthouse, so it is going to be some structure."

The group is also fighting a separate application to build two turbines at another location in Bempton.

Residents opposed to the turbines had hoped the RSPB, which runs a visitor centre on the coastline at Bempton, would support their campaign.

However the RSPB has said it does not believe the proposed turbines would pose a conservation threat.