Plans for 45m tall wind turbine in Burscough set to fall foul of radar concerns

Feb 7 2013 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

PLANS for a 45m high wind turbine in Burscough are set to be rejected over fears it could interfere with radar detection.

West Lancs planning committee will consider the application on land off Merlin business park, Ringtail Road, Burscough, at tonight’s meeting.

Agents for the applicant said the turbine, which would be sited on a raised mound and reach 45m to blade tip, would produce 504Mwh of renewable energy and be used to power the commercial estate.

The turbine would generate around 250 tonnes a year, which would significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the site.

In a report that will go before the committee, borough planner John Harrison states that while the proposal constitutes inappropriate development on the green belt, the “very special circumstances” put forward by the applicant – the environmental benefit of the sustainable energy that it would generate – are justified and outweigh the “limited” harm it would have on the landscape.

But both the Ministry of Defence and NATs objected to the plans on grounds of radar interference.

NATS said that the turbine could cause radar’s probability of detection for real aircraft to be reduced.

The report also states that the proposals fail due to a lack of sufficient information relating to noise levels on neighbouring residents.

And Natural England raised concerns that there was a lack of information on whether the turbine would have a significant effect on the nearby Martin Mere site.

In his summary, Mr Harrison recommends planning permission be refused due to concerns that the turbine could present a hazard to the safe operation of aircraft, as well as the lack of information on the noise impact and potential impact on Martin Mere.