The Ministry of Defence claims a planned windfarm near Alyth should be rejected because it will affect radar operations at Leuchars.
The seven-turbine Bamff windfarm in the Strathmore hills will cause “unacceptable interference” to the ATC radar at the Fife base, according to the MoD.
Scottish Power Renewables proposal will be determined by Perth and Kinross Council planners on Wednesday.
The 11 metre high turbines would be constructed on a tract of hilly land, five km to the North West of Alyth and eight km to the North East of Blairgowrie.
As one of a potential four turbine clusters in the area, it has attracted vociferous objections from several quarters, including the MoD.
In a letter to the development control committee, Beverly Fletcher, the MoD’s assistant safeguarding officer, states: “The turbines will be 14.2km from, in line of sight to, and will cause unacceptable interference to the ATC radar at Leuchars.
“Wind turbines have been shown to have detrimental effects on the performance of MoD ATC and Range Control radars.
“These effects include the desensitisation of radar in the vicinity of the turbines and the creation of ‘false’ aircraft returns, which air traffic controllers must treat as real.
“The desensitisation of radar could result in aircraft not being detected by the radar and, therefore, not presented to air traffic controllers.
“Controllers use the radar to separate and sequence both military and civilian aircraft and in busy, uncontrolled airspace, radar is the only sure way to do this safely.
“Maintaining situational awareness of all aircraft movements within the airspace is crucial to achieving a safe and efficient air traffic service and the integrity of radar data is central to this process.”
The applicants maintain the turbines will not unduly interfere with the radar and mitigation measures are already in place because of the nearby Drumderg windfarm.
The MoD objection is not the only factor to be considered by the committee, or even the overriding one, with councillors asked to reject the proposal.
It is being considered alongside another proposed windfarms nearby RDS Element Power’s seven-turbine Tullymurdoch complex while the approved Welton of Creuchies cluster and completed Drumderg scheme are also close by.
Planning officer John Russell has prepared a report to go before the committee, in which he states the extra windfarms would represent over-development.
“In this case, I consider the proposal will not create any overriding problems in relation to the wildlife or cultural heritage interests of the area.
“An element of economic benefit during construction, operation and decommissioning will occur but these benefits have to be offset against the presence of the windfarm which may deter tourist visitors.
“The proposal would make a contribution to the provision of energy from renewable resources, with a consequential reduction in CO2 emissions.
“However, the proposal does have an adverse landscape and visual impact on its own, as well as in combination with operational and consented windfarms.
“Furthermore, an adverse impact on aviation infrastructure occurs and there is a lack of information to ensure that there is not an adverse impact on residential amenity to properties surrounding the development.
“Through the siting, size of turbines, prominence and visual association with existing and approved windfarms within the locality, the proposals would have a major adverse impact on existing landscape character and visual amenity.
“The council is not satisfied that the energy contribution of the proposed turbines would outweigh the significant adverse effects on local environmental quality.”
Tullymurdoch has already been appealed to the Scottish Government on the grounds of non-determination and the committee will be asked to agree to defend the appeal.