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8:00am Monday 18th October 2010 in News By Scott D'Arcy
AN objection from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has led to the decision over the proposal to build three wind turbines at the Honda plant being delayed.
The MoD has written to Swindon Council to stall the progress of the application, submitted by Honda and sustainable energy firm Ecotricity, so it can be determined whether the turbines will interfere with its radar devices.
The controversial plan to erect three turbines, 120m high at their peak, is now not set to be heard by the council’s planning committee before December at the earliest.
It was originally scheduled to be discussed this month.
A MoD spokesman said: “Wind turbines can affect a number of MoD activities and operations, including air traffic control and threat radars.
“The MoD must do what is necessary to ensure that national security, the safety of aircraft, and, indeed, the safety of aircrew and of people on the ground, are protected through proper safeguarding of those radars.
“All wind farm applications are assessed on a site by site basis.
“The MoD is committed to Government targets for renewable energy and whenever possible we seek to work with wind farm developers to find a mutually acceptable solution.
“The effects of wind turbines on radar are complex and the MoD is working in a number of areas to address the effects of turbines on radar.”
Mike Cheshire, public relations manager for Ecotricity, said the company was aware of the issue and it was not uncommon.
“The latest we know is that the MoD is working with BAE systems to look into the issue,” he said.
“When they put in an objection it’s often a holding objection rather than them objecting in principle. They are waiting for a technical document to see what is possible. It’s not uncommon for things like this.
“The planning process moves quite slowly and deliberately but that’s so that they can make sure they have got all the evidence in front of them before making a decision.”
On Saturday the Adver reported how campaign group Ill Wind held a demonstration to show to local residents in both Stratton and South Marston how high and close in proximity to housing the turbines will be.
Neil Burchell, group chairman, said: “We’ve had a steady stream of people from around the village and many are still so shocked at how high it will be.”
In August, Stratton St Margaret Parish Council’s planning committee decided to support the plan.
It said: “There will be a small visual impact on parts of the parish.
“However, the council feels due consideration has been given to this issue and adequate steps to mitigate the visual impact have been taken.
“It is the view of the council that it is unlikely that the turbines will create more noise pollution than the A419, which acts as a barrier between the development site and the majority of residential dwellings within the parish that are directly affected.”
Comments(38)
Robfm
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8:13am Mon 18 Oct 10
politicrat
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8:13am Mon 18 Oct 10
Robfm
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8:15am Mon 18 Oct 10
politicrat
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8:34am Mon 18 Oct 10
Robfm wrote:low level flying for a start over concentrated urban area.....hopefully the 8% defense budget cut should reduce the problem
What noise would that be politicrat.
Robfm
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8:50am Mon 18 Oct 10
Old Town
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9:25am Mon 18 Oct 10
Robfm
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9:31am Mon 18 Oct 10
Al Smith
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9:43am Mon 18 Oct 10
politicrat
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9:57am Mon 18 Oct 10
Old Town wrote:Compare the noise of Windturbines with the noise of landing aircrafts, go figure!
I see that being away for a couple of weeks hasn't stopped old Politiprat writing nonsense ! . I had this hope that he might have gone away in that time but no - here he is !! . Of course as ever you are talking nonsense Politiprat - there is VERY little noise generated by the MOD at night - and to be fair hardly any during the day either ! . When the odd plane comes into Lynham, I have a look up and wonder how many of our brave troops are returning from foreign shores in the Hercules, and it makes me feel proud....
politicrat
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10:01am Mon 18 Oct 10
Robfm wrote:I mainly see my taxes wasted in a silly war, wasting the lives of ISAF soldiers, Aid workers and Afghans and Pakistanis civilians.
OT I'll second you final comments, I do the same.
Robfm
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10:05am Mon 18 Oct 10
the one from sevenhampton
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10:10am Mon 18 Oct 10
politicrat
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10:24am Mon 18 Oct 10
the one from sevenhampton wrote:At least someone has noticed the noise of landing aircrafts......
Please may i just say Bob and politiprat for the last time this IS not a place to AIR YOUR VIEWS OF EACH OTHER GO GET A ROOM OR DO SOMTHING FOR CHAIRTY BUT KNOCK IT OFF RIGHT BACK TO THE REAL STORY HAS NOE ONE noticed that the wind farm on the old airfield at watchfield is much closer than THE HONDA SITE WOULD BE. so is the MOD not telling us somthing like they have radar a lot closer to Honda than there own site ???? and as for Those that live in the middle of no where BOB. my mate lives right under the flight path of Lynham And Brize and yes the hercs do make a hell of a racket THE MOD CAN be held account for noise SO Flob-A-Bob and the one who is known as politiprat when are we going to see you do something useful in life and challange each other to a well some one give them some ideas All THE BEST David tiddle winks at dawn
Old Town
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10:35am Mon 18 Oct 10
Robfm
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10:58am Mon 18 Oct 10
politicrat
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10:58am Mon 18 Oct 10
Old Town wrote:The MOD do not rule the country, we do!
I never said they make no noise - I said they make little noise as there are not many planes coming into Lynham every day - and I live near the flight path. . This is a non-story from Politiprat about Airplane noise.... . Cannot see much problem myself with the Wind Turbines, but then I know little about them. I don't particularly like the way they look, and from the limited things I have read they have not really proved how effective / ineffective they are over the long term.... . However it seems obvious that the MOD have something to hide if they are objecting at this late stage.....
Robfm
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11:40am Mon 18 Oct 10
gonefishin
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11:44am Mon 18 Oct 10
politicrat
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11:56am Mon 18 Oct 10
gonefishin wrote:Refusing Honda the right to erect Windturbines on private land and cry money making schemes scandal when advertisings from Homesun free-feed in tariffs solar panels for private dwellings.
"Are the Windturbines not a good enough PR coup for Mr Bluh?" . WTF have they got to do with Bluh? These turbines are a private cash cow for Honda and Ecotricity, private money-making schemes ultimately paid for by the tax-payer and increased electricity bills for everyone else in the country. They are of absolutely no benefit to the local community at all. Where's the "PR coup" in that? . Here's some PR you might like to read Politicrat: . http://www.telegraph .co.uk/comment/colum nists/christopherboo ker/8025148/The-Than et-wind-farm-will-mi lk-us-of-billions.ht ml
Robfm
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12:19pm Mon 18 Oct 10
politicrat
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1:02pm Mon 18 Oct 10
Robfm wrote:living the dream again :-)
If we hadn't handed over the North Sea gas reserves to the EU, we would not now be buying gas at a greater cost than we need to.
Hangbrownhigh
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3:41pm Mon 18 Oct 10
Donkey of Langton
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3:57pm Mon 18 Oct 10
Oik1
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4:56pm Mon 18 Oct 10
Al Smith
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5:11pm Mon 18 Oct 10
Oik1 wrote:Upto a point, unlike coal, gas and oil we depend totally on foreign mined uranium. Thankfully the two biggest producers/exporters of uranium are Australia and Canda.
Bigger and better Nuclear Power stations are the way forward, if power is wanted in spades then stop messing about with a windmill here and a willow farm there.
Good to hear the Severn Estuary project has been ditched, that was a failure waiting to happen and without a doubt would of cost the taxpayers millions or possibly billions.
SourBBB
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7:09pm Mon 18 Oct 10
Robfm wrote:As usual there is a motive where robbo is concerned. "Few residents care one way or another". Well you would say that given that you want to erect one in your beer garden.
politicrat take it from me there are not many objectors just a few vocal ones, and those who choose to believe the leaflets sent out in reality there were about 100 people at the meetings from 4 or 5 Parishes. I have weekly conversions about these turbines, both in my pub and elsewhere and I have met few fellow residents who actually care one way or the other.
SourBBB
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7:09pm Mon 18 Oct 10
Robfm wrote:As usual there is a motive where robbo is concerned. "Few residents care one way or another". Well you would say that given that you want to erect one in your beer garden.
politicrat take it from me there are not many objectors just a few vocal ones, and those who choose to believe the leaflets sent out in reality there were about 100 people at the meetings from 4 or 5 Parishes. I have weekly conversions about these turbines, both in my pub and elsewhere and I have met few fellow residents who actually care one way or the other.
I Too
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7:24pm Mon 18 Oct 10
Oik1 wrote:And then there's the small "economic" matter of manning a non productive nuclear power station, for 100 years, whilst it is closed down.
Bigger and better Nuclear Power stations are the way forward, if power is wanted in spades then stop messing about with a windmill here and a willow farm there. Good to hear the Severn Estuary project has been ditched, that was a failure waiting to happen and without a doubt would of cost the taxpayers millions or possibly billions.
Robfm
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7:48pm Mon 18 Oct 10
the one from sevenhampton
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8:32pm Mon 18 Oct 10
SourBBB
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8:44pm Mon 18 Oct 10
the one from sevenhampton wrote:Righteousness when it suits ones business dear boy!
so Bob if that is the case why have you objected to Mr Rupert Burr putting a biomass power plant on his land he could sell cheap electric to the grid and you could buy that back at a cheaper rate and as for the wind farm at watchfield adam had the backing of the national Trust for that one and if we can get honda to take less electric will the power company put the standard rate up??? BOB that needs looking into. and will you be against the building of new homes over the road from you this will give your pub a much needed boast.
politicrat
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9:07am Tue 19 Oct 10
I Too wrote:How does Germany cope with its power demand considering its huge Industrial output?
Oik1 wrote: Bigger and better Nuclear Power stations are the way forward, if power is wanted in spades then stop messing about with a windmill here and a willow farm there. Good to hear the Severn Estuary project has been ditched, that was a failure waiting to happen and without a doubt would of cost the taxpayers millions or possibly billions.And then there's the small "economic" matter of manning a non productive nuclear power station, for 100 years, whilst it is closed down. i can't imagine the people of Douneray, Sizewell "A", or Windscale (Sellafield) would share you admiration of nuclear power. It's the worst kind of "half a plan"
Robfm
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10:16am Tue 19 Oct 10
SourBBB
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2:06pm Tue 19 Oct 10
Robfm wrote:Who is Briz?
I guess it's true then Briz is on the Adver staff as well as working for BBC Radio Bristol.. Actually as far as the turbines are concerned I plead guilty. I would love one, to make my electricity cheaper and in the process contribute to the national grid, to help everyone else.
I Too
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2:07pm Tue 19 Oct 10
I Too
says...
2:11pm Tue 19 Oct 10
SourBBB wrote:You are.
Robfm wrote: I guess it's true then Briz is on the Adver staff as well as working for BBC Radio Bristol.. Actually as far as the turbines are concerned I plead guilty. I would love one, to make my electricity cheaper and in the process contribute to the national grid, to help everyone else.Who is Briz?
SourBBB
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4:11pm Tue 19 Oct 10
I Too wrote:Really how rude. If you don't like my comments don't read them. Who is briz?
SourBBB wrote:You are. You're also as boring and tedious as each other. You should both try having a few days off the internet, or at least limit your postings to one hour in the day. I'm sure most people would be delightedRobfm wrote: I guess it's true then Briz is on the Adver staff as well as working for BBC Radio Bristol.. Actually as far as the turbines are concerned I plead guilty. I would love one, to make my electricity cheaper and in the process contribute to the national grid, to help everyone else.Who is Briz?
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Robfm says...
8:09am Mon 18 Oct 10