A Hampshire campaign group was praised in the House of Commons (Monday 16th December) as the number of military objections to onshore wind farms was discussed.
Following reports that EDF Energy, a French-based multi-national company hoping to erect a series of wind turbines at Bullington Cross, expected opposition to their plans due to the proximity of the site to various MOD bases across the district, Winchester MP Steve Brine pressed the Defence Minister, Dr Andrew Murrison MP on the number of MOD objections to similar proposals across the country.
Dr Murrison told the House that he was aware of the Keep Hampshire Green group, which campaigned 'tirelessly', and noted that although Bullington Cross is a live case, that the MOD had indeed objected to this application.
Steve Brine said: "The impact statement for Bullington, submitted as part of the planning application to Winchester City Council, says the site is an extremely busy aviation site with a high density of both military and civil aviation activity. I wanted to ask the Minister, given the site is also within a MoD low flying area for battlefield helicopters, whether he would agree it is not right to have the training of our armed forces personnel to be compromised by turbines higher than Winchester's great Cathedral."
Dr Murrison told MPs that while the MOD tries to be helpful as the government works to boost renewable energy, safety has to come first.
The Bullington Cross site is in close proximity to Southampton International Airport, and Lasham, home of the UK's largest gliding centre as well as a company that services aircraft. In addition, Bullington Cross is also within a MOD low flying area for battlefield helicopters based at Middle Wallop and Boscombe Down and is little over 2 miles away from Popham Airfield, which is used by light civilian aircraft, sparking fears the large turbines could interfere with air traffic control safety systems.
Steve added: "While the Minister could not go into this individual planning application, it was important to raise this in the House due to the very real safety concerns the MOD have highlighted. Clearly this planning application will take its natural course, but it is vital that all the evidence is out there before any decision is taken by local councillors."
Coming soon ...
Read and watch back here
