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Aircraft safety is of paramount concern when assessing the suitability of a site for accommodating wind turbines if it is within 30km of an airport. The height of wind turbines and their motion sometimes present issues with airport operations: most commonly, interference with radar. These issues are well known within the industry, and options are available for most of them.
 On the recommendation of the Civil Aviation Authority, Peel Energy consulted Liverpool John Lennon, Manchester and Hawarden (Chester) airports to ensure that there would no impact on aircraft safety. In addition, further consultations were undertaken with the Ministry of Defence and National Air Traffic Services.
Manchester Airport has undertaken an internal assessment and determined that its air traffic navigation and communication systems would not be impacted.
The Ministry of Defence and National Air Traffic Services have also stated that the proposed wind farm would not interfere with military or civil aviation communication systems.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport has confirmed that wind turbines of the height proposed would not present a physical obstacle in aircraft flight paths; however, as expected, there would be an impact on its radar. Talks are ongoing between Peel Energy and Liverpool John Lennon Airport to arrive at an acceptable solution.
Peel Energy is also engaging with Hawarden (Chester) Airport to arrive at an acceptable solution to impacts on its radar.
Investigations on these issues are ongoing, and we are confident that a technical solution will be found. It is possible for the wind farm to be granted planning permission with conditions that prevent it from being built before both airports are satisfied with the proposed mitigation measures. |
