The Ministry of Defence has objected to a proposed wind farm in the Scottish Borders on the basis of national security.
In a letter to the Scottish Government, the MoD said the Mid Hill development would have an "unacceptable impact” on the Eskdalemuir Seismological recording station and on air traffic control radar used by RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria.
Additionally, the 13 wind turbines could pose a “hazard” to low-flying military aircraft.
The letter read: “The development site falls within the statutory consultation zone associated with the seismological recording station at Eskdalemuir, an asset that forms part of the UK contribution to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
“Research has confirmed that wind turbines of current design generate seismic noise which can interfere with the operational functionality of the array.”
The MoD said that the turbines could “desensitise” radar systems, resulting in aircraft not being presented to air traffic controllers.
They added: “Controllers use the radar to separate and sequence both military and civilian aircraft, and in busy uncontrolled airspace radar is the only sure way to do this safely.”
Multinational developer Invenergy submitted the application, seeking approval for 13 turbines up to 200 metres tall plus an energy storage facility southwest of Hawick.
The site would open in 2034 and remain operational for forty years.
Sarah St Pierre of the Borthwickwater Landscape Conservation Group said: “This region has been inundated with large-scale wind farm plans.
"Now we are being asked to sacrifice not only our landscape but a critical part of the international security network that monitors nuclear activity. The Borders has done more than its fair share.
She added: “What the MoD has now confirmed is that there is no remaining seismic capacity for further turbines and that Mid Hill would undermine both nuclear monitoring and defence aviation.
Read more:
- UK won't join Donald Trump's Board of Peace after Putin invited
- Lifeline funding for Scottish bridge after shock collapse into river last month
- Hundreds of jobs saved at major Scots dockyard as Babcock signs Indonesia pact
"At some point we have to say enough is enough – this is not a suitable location and these impacts are not trivial.”
However, David Bell Planning, acting on behalf of Invenergy, said that the applicant “went to considerable lengths” to ensure a “satisfactory layout, design and composition”.
“Appropriate design mitigation has been applied,” they wrote. “Potentially significant adverse landscape and visual effects resulting from the Proposed Development have been minimised through an iterative design process.”
Share