News
Airport Gets the Wind Up
Fears are being raised that proposals to put wind turbines on the roof of the Civic Centre could interfere with radar at Exeter Airport.
March 23, 2006
in This is Exeter
Airport bosses are concerned that the moving blades of the four-metre high turbines could adversely affect radar signals.
The city council wants to put six turbines on the roof of its headquarters in Paris Street.
They would generate enough electricity to supply two per cent of its annual energy needs.
The Echo has learned that the airport originally objected to the plans because of the concerns relating to the devices proposed for the civic centre roof.
But following talks between the airport, the council, the Civil Aviation Authority and the British Airports Authority the objection was withdrawn.
But the airport is still insisting that the turbines would have to be turned off if they did interfere with its radar.
Mike Foster, the airport's safety and compliance director, said: "Our priority has to be to ensure the safety of aircraft and aircraft passengers.
"There has been very little research carried out on the effect that this type of small wind turbine has on radar.
"Our concern is that the rotating tips of the blades could be seen as moving objects on the radar.
"That could cause problems for us because the Civic Centre is close to one of our main flight paths to the airport for incoming aircraft."
He added: "We initially lodged an objection to the city council as a result.
"The objection has been withdrawn as there will be a legally enforceable section 106 agreement as part of the planning condition that will require the turbines to be stopped from rotating should interference to the radar occur."
The turbine proposals, which would cost £8,000, will be discussed at the city council's executive meeting next Tuesday.
A report to the committee admits that there is a risk that the turbines would have to be turned off and remain redundant if they did interfere with the airport's radar.
City council leader Roy Slack said: "This is part of our effort to reduce carbon dioxide and be more environmentally-friendly.
"The airport has some concerns about whether it would affect the radar.
"I have some concerns about that and there is a small risk, but I still think the city council, as a public authority, has a responsibility to try and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions."
Maurice Spurway, co-ordinator of Exeter Friends of the Earth, said: "It is ironic that the airport is raising these concerns about proposals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, when itself, with the increasing number of flights from the airport, is one of the largest contributors to carbon dioxide in the local area.
"It would be a great shame if the wind turbines did not go up because of concerns about radar."
The city council wants to put six turbines on the roof of its headquarters in Paris Street.
They would generate enough electricity to supply two per cent of its annual energy needs.
The Echo has learned that the airport originally objected to the plans because of the concerns relating to the devices proposed for the civic centre roof.
But following talks between the airport, the council, the Civil Aviation Authority and the British Airports Authority the objection was withdrawn.
But the airport is still insisting that the turbines would have to be turned off if they did interfere with its radar.
Mike Foster, the airport's safety and compliance director, said: "Our priority has to be to ensure the safety of aircraft and aircraft passengers.
"There has been very little research carried out on the effect that this type of small wind turbine has on radar.
"Our concern is that the rotating tips of the blades could be seen as moving objects on the radar.
"That could cause problems for us because the Civic Centre is close to one of our main flight paths to the airport for incoming aircraft."
He added: "We initially lodged an objection to the city council as a result.
"The objection has been withdrawn as there will be a legally enforceable section 106 agreement as part of the planning condition that will require the turbines to be stopped from rotating should interference to the radar occur."
The turbine proposals, which would cost £8,000, will be discussed at the city council's executive meeting next Tuesday.
A report to the committee admits that there is a risk that the turbines would have to be turned off and remain redundant if they did interfere with the airport's radar.
City council leader Roy Slack said: "This is part of our effort to reduce carbon dioxide and be more environmentally-friendly.
"The airport has some concerns about whether it would affect the radar.
"I have some concerns about that and there is a small risk, but I still think the city council, as a public authority, has a responsibility to try and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions."
Maurice Spurway, co-ordinator of Exeter Friends of the Earth, said: "It is ironic that the airport is raising these concerns about proposals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, when itself, with the increasing number of flights from the airport, is one of the largest contributors to carbon dioxide in the local area.
"It would be a great shame if the wind turbines did not go up because of concerns about radar."
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