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04/02/2008
Winds Farms A National Security Threat
The MoD has lodged last-minute objections to at least four offshore windfarms as they have discovered that the turbines interfere with radar.
The Times has learned the windfarms block the line of sight of MoD stations in the east coast, making it impossible for them to spot passing aircraft. The problem looks likely to jeopardise the government’s ambitious plans to have these off shore windfarms provide up to a third of Britain’s energy needs.
The same objections are likely to apply to wind turbines in the North Sea, part of the massive renewable energy project announced by John Hutton, the Energy Secretary, over two months ago.
They would be directly in line with the three principal radar defence stations, Brizlee Wood, Saxton Wold and Trimingham on the Northumberland, Yorkshire and Norfolk coasts.
A senior MoD expert gave evidence to a planning inquiry last October and said that the turbines create a hole in radar coverage so that aircraft flying overhead are not detectable.
The findings were the result of trials carried out in 2004 and 2005 but the MoD has only toughened its stance more recently.
Developers are furious with the policy u-turn as they had previously been told that there would be no defence implications. A letter of protest has now been written to Mr Hutton and Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, explaining that millions of pounds of investment are at risk.
(GC)
The Times has learned the windfarms block the line of sight of MoD stations in the east coast, making it impossible for them to spot passing aircraft. The problem looks likely to jeopardise the government’s ambitious plans to have these off shore windfarms provide up to a third of Britain’s energy needs.
The same objections are likely to apply to wind turbines in the North Sea, part of the massive renewable energy project announced by John Hutton, the Energy Secretary, over two months ago.
They would be directly in line with the three principal radar defence stations, Brizlee Wood, Saxton Wold and Trimingham on the Northumberland, Yorkshire and Norfolk coasts.
A senior MoD expert gave evidence to a planning inquiry last October and said that the turbines create a hole in radar coverage so that aircraft flying overhead are not detectable.
The findings were the result of trials carried out in 2004 and 2005 but the MoD has only toughened its stance more recently.
Developers are furious with the policy u-turn as they had previously been told that there would be no defence implications. A letter of protest has now been written to Mr Hutton and Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, explaining that millions of pounds of investment are at risk.
(GC)
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Whitehall War Office To Be Sold
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23 May 2003
War hero subject of second MoD probe
It has emerged today that Colonel Tim Collins, the British Army commander who won international plaudits for his moving pre-battle speech in Iraq, is the subject of a second MoD probe. The second inquiry surrounds the apparent suicide of an 18-year-old private soldier at Drumaad barracks, Co Armagh in Northern Ireland, two years ago.
War hero subject of second MoD probe
It has emerged today that Colonel Tim Collins, the British Army commander who won international plaudits for his moving pre-battle speech in Iraq, is the subject of a second MoD probe. The second inquiry surrounds the apparent suicide of an 18-year-old private soldier at Drumaad barracks, Co Armagh in Northern Ireland, two years ago.
25 January 2012
Military Theft Increasing
A parliamentary committee has reported that theft within the military is steadily increasing, while also reporting that the MoD's accounts were "unsatisfactory".
Military Theft Increasing
A parliamentary committee has reported that theft within the military is steadily increasing, while also reporting that the MoD's accounts were "unsatisfactory".
10 November 2004
MoD rapped over its handling of defence projects
The way in which the MoD buys and develops defence equipment has come under fire in a new National Audit Office (NAO) report published today. The MoD came in for criticism after the NAO found that that, in the last year, costs on the MoD’s 20 biggest equipment projects had increased by £1.7 billion.
MoD rapped over its handling of defence projects
The way in which the MoD buys and develops defence equipment has come under fire in a new National Audit Office (NAO) report published today. The MoD came in for criticism after the NAO found that that, in the last year, costs on the MoD’s 20 biggest equipment projects had increased by £1.7 billion.
11 December 2014
MoD Announce Closure Of Kinloss Search And Rescue Centre
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced the closure of the search and rescue co-ordination centre at Kinloss in Moray. Operations are to be relocated to the National Maritime Operations Centre in Fareham.
MoD Announce Closure Of Kinloss Search And Rescue Centre
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced the closure of the search and rescue co-ordination centre at Kinloss in Moray. Operations are to be relocated to the National Maritime Operations Centre in Fareham.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
