The MoD warns the proposed wind farm could interfere with radar

MoD officials say the Hope Moor Wind Farm, planned for moorland between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale, will interfere with radar at RAF Leeming and an air defense installation in Northumberland.

Renewable energy company Fred. Olsen Renewables proposes to build 23 turbines, each over 200 meters in height, near the Stang forest.

The scheme is being considered through the nationally significant infrastructure planning process.

In a formal response to the Planning Inspectorate as part of a scoping exercise, the Defense Infrastructure Organization (DIO), which is responsible for managing MoD sites, warned that the development could compromise defense capabilities.

It said: “The turbines will be 30km away, detectable by, and cause unacceptable interference to, the ATC radar located at RAF Leeming.”

The DIO explained that wind turbines can interfere with radar systems by creating unwanted aircraft detections and potentially obscuring genuine aircraft movements.

It warned that the interference could prevent planes from being detected by radar and increase the workload of air traffic controllers, who are responsible for separating military and civilian aircraft.

The organization also raised concerns about the impact on an air defense radar installation at Remote Radar Head Brizlee Wood in Northumberland.

The MoD said interference with this radar could reduce the RAF’s ability to detect and intercept aircraft in UK airspace, potentially compromising its air defense responsibilities.

Further concerns were raised about the location of the wind farm in a low-flying area where military aircraft can fly as low as 250ft.

It said the conditions were required to ensure the turbines were fitted with aviation safety lighting and were accurately recorded on aviation charts.

The MoD has also requested further consultation on proposals for the wind farm’s electricity grid connection once more detailed plans are available.

Further concerns were raised by the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which formally objected to the proposal, warning that the development would cause unacceptable interference with air traffic control radar.

Euan Hutchison, Fred. Olsen UK development director, said the company would “continue to engage with the Ministry of Defence, local communities and other stakeholders as the project develops”.

He added: “We recognize the importance of getting this right and will continue to work through technical and environmental considerations as part of the planning process.

“Hope Moor has the potential to bring long-term investment to the area, while generating clean, home-grown energy that can help power homes and businesses for decades to come.”

On Sunday, former England cricketer Lord Ian Botham will join campaigners for a walk across Barningham Moor as part of a campaign against the wind farm.

The star will join up to 200 people taking part in the Walk for Hope Moor, organized by the Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group.

Suzy Wilson, group founder, said: “We are a grassroots organization doing our best to prevent the inappropriate industrialization of this stunning wildlife haven, but we welcome the comments from the MoD and NATS at a time of very real and justified concerns about our national defence.

“We would obviously be happy if the project was abandoned in the interest of protecting national security.”

Councilor Angus Thompson, whose North Richmondshire division includes some of the proposed wind parks, described the MoD’s response as the “nail in the coffin” for the scheme.

“This hopeless project should be abandoned without delay,” he added.