Wind farms risk Newcastle Airport growth
13.04.08
Newcastle Airport bosses are to demand the Government introduces stricter planning rules that would force wind farm developers to consider radar concerns when applying to build turbines, the Journal reports. The airport is in consultation with Government officers in an attempt to end the costly legal battles that they say could threaten the airport’s expansion.
With more than £400m a year brought into the North East economy from the airport, staff believe the time has come for developers to consider the wider impact of their airspace, restricting turbines.
The newspaper reports that aviation groups are currently fighting a legal battle against three energy companies which want to build 59 turbines north of Hexham. The airport, the Ministry of Defence and air traffic control bosses objected to the proposals, saying the turbines show up on radar, with the resulting safety concerns severely limiting flightpath expansion.
The airport's head of planning and corporate affairs, Graeme Mason, said that it was in talks with Government departments and development agency One NorthEast in an attempt to strengthen regional planning powers. He said: ‘In terms of overall flight safety and our capacity, these turbine proposals are raising real concerns. We cannot go on like this. It costs a lot of money to fight these proposals and yet this could be avoided.’
A Government planning guideline, PPS22, states renewable-energy companies should check with airports before submitting plans to local councils. This in theory should allow developers to see the problems their turbines could create and avoid lengthy planning battles. But because it is just guidance, developers can still launch a planning proposal even if the airports have concerns.
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