MoD objects to North Yorkshire wind farm over RAF radar fears

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 10:55 · Archive

The Ministry of Defence has objected to a 23-turbine wind farm in North Yorkshire, saying its 200-metre turbines would interfere with military radar systems.

The Ministry of Defence has objected to proposals for Hope Moor Wind Farm in North Yorkshire, which would include 23 wind turbines reaching 200 metres above ground level across County Durham and the Yorkshire Dales. The MoD's Defence Infrastructure Organisation warned that the development would cause 'unacceptable interference' to radar at RAF Leeming, approximately 30 kilometres away, and air defence radar at Brizzlee Wood in Northumberland, around 108 kilometres away.

Military officials said that rotating turbine blades can create radar clutter and generate misleading signals that resemble fast-moving aircraft, making genuine threats harder to distinguish. The MoD also raised concerns that the turbines, owing to their height, could pose a risk to RAF aircraft which fly as low as 76 metres above the ground during low-level training exercises. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation warned that the development could prevent the RAF 'from effectively performing its primary function of air defence of the United Kingdom'.

The project has been fast-tracked as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, meaning the final decision rests with Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh rather than proceeding through the usual planning process. Lord Botham has also objected to the scheme. The MoD's objection creates a stand-off between the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero.

How it is being reported

• Net Zero drive leaves hole in Britain's defences as wind turbines could BLOCK Russian jet-tracking radarsThe Ministry of Defence has warned that plans for a 23-turbine wind farm in the Yorkshire countryside could interfere with military radar systems used to detect hostile aircraft and incoming missiles. The proposed Hope Moor Wind Farm, featuring turbines some 200 metres tall, has been fast-tracked under the national planning process for major energy infrastructure. The final decision rests with Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, although the scheme has raised national security concerns over the Government’s drive to expand renewable energy under Net Zero. In a letter to planning officials…GB News · 9 Oct, 10:14
• MoD joins Lord Botham in objection to 200m-high wind turbines in North Yorkshire countryside because of 'unacceptable interference' with RAF baseProposals for Hope Moor Wind Farm include 23 wind turbines reaching 200 metres above ground level, around 30km from RAF Leeming.Daily Mail · 8 Oct, 18:02

In this story: Ministry of Defence · RAF Leeming · Brizzlee Wood · Hope Moor Wind Farm · Miatta Fahnbulleh · North Yorkshire · Northumberland

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