Comment

Representation ID: 60042

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation

Where development falls outside designated safeguarding zones the MOD may also have an
interest, particularly where the development is of a type likely to have an impact on operational capability.
Examples of this type of development are the installation of renewable energy generation systems and their
associated infrastructure. The MOD has, in principle, no issue or objection to renewable energy development
though some methods of renewable energy generation, for example wind turbine generators or solar photo
voltaic panels can, by virtue of their physical dimensions and properties, impact upon military aviation
activities, cause obstruction to protected critical airspace encompassing military aerodromes, and impede the
operation of safeguarded defence technical installations. Where turbines are erected in line of sight to
defence radars and other types of defence technical installations, the rotating motion of their blades can
degrade and cause interference to the effective operation of these types of installations with associated
impacts upon aviation safety and operational capability. Planning Practice Guidance published on the Gov.uk
website acknowledges the potential effect of wind turbine generators and directs developers and Local
Planning Authorities to consult the MOD where a proposed turbine has a tip height of or exceeding 11m or
has a rotor diameter of 2m or more.