THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

AND

OFFSHORE WIND

Julian Chafer FRICSHead of Estates

Central Business UnitDefence Estates

The MoD and Offshore Wind

OUR MISSION

“to deliver estate solutions to defence needs”

OUR VISION

"...to provide an estate of the right size and quality,

which is managed and developed effectively

inline with acknowledged best practice, and is

sensitive to social and environmental

considerations."

The MoD and Offshore Wind

The MoD Estate

243,000 hectares (1% of UK); Substantial environmental and built heritage; Value £14bn; Annual expenditure £1.5 - 2bn.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

Sustainability And The MoD Estate

• Strategic Defence Review;• Strategic Environmental Appraisal;• Strategy for the Defence Estate;• Greening Government;• At the heart of decision making processes;• Appraisal Handbook for Sustainability and the Environment.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

The Energy White Paper

What we have done / are doing;

• Wind Energy, Defence and Civil Aviation Working Group; • Wind Energy And Aviation Interests Interim Guidelines; • Engaging more with the industry;• Engaging with Regional Bodies, Local Authorities etc.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

The Energy White Paper

What we have done / are doing;

• Providing guidance to those reviewing applications;• Telephone help line - 0790 1751770;• Providing advice after an objection is raised; and• Supporting research.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

The Energy White Paper

What we are trying to do better;

• Raising the profile of wind farms within the Department;• Shortening proposal turn-around times;• Reducing the number of objections;• Producing more meaningful statistics.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

Assessing Wind Farm Proposals

AREA OF UK COVEREDBY

SAFEGUARDING

The MoD and Offshore Wind

Assessing Wind Farm Proposals

Wind Farm Proposals Received

0

250

500

750

1000

1250

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

The MoD and Offshore Wind

Assessing Wind Farm Proposals

MoD Objection Rate

0

1020

30

4050

60

The MoD and Offshore Wind

Assessing Wind Farm Proposals

9%

55%36%

No Objections

Objection Raised

Being Considered

The MoD and Offshore Wind

Assessing Wind Farm Proposals

Energy White Paper commitment; Each case considered on its merits; Primary aim = operational capability and health and safety; Only justifiable objections will be raised; MoD will discuss amendments to design, location etc.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

The Energy White PaperThe MoD “Hurdle”;

• 2872 proposals considered by MoD since 1996;• 1553 proposals = no objection;• 03 “No Objections” = wind contribution to

Renewables Obligation;• What happens to many of those we don’t object to?• What happens to those we do object to?• Who are the objectors to planning applications?

The MoD and Offshore Wind

The Energy White Paper

Turnaround times;

• Understood that this is a key issue;• 6 - 8 weeks in Energy White Paper;• 12 - 14 weeks now;• Why?

The MoD and Offshore Wind

The Energy White Paper

Turnaround times - what we are doing;

• Additional staff resources;• Internet based consultation system;• Greater use of IT and GIS.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

The Energy White Paper

Turnaround times - what you can do;

• Do your homework;• Assess likely importance of other stakeholders;• Be sensible about which proposals are submitted;• Ensure we get all the information we need;• If in doubt - get in touch!

The MoD and Offshore Wind

The Energy White Paper

Proliferation;

• Ensuring maximum contribution to Renewables Obligation;• Want to consent to the largest schemes possible.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

The Energy White Paper

Tracking of proposals;

• Proposals outside planning system impossible to track;• How can we stay informed about progress?

The MoD and Offshore Wind

Assessing Wind Farm Proposals

Air Defence Radar; Air Traffic Control Radar; Meteorological Office Radar; Training and Exercise Areas; Danger Areas.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

Air defence radar

Turbines within 74km; and

In line of sight to the radar.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

Air traffic control radar

Turbines within 66km; and

In line of sight to the radar.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

Meteorological Office Radar

Turbines within 20km; and

In line of sight to the radar;

Only two objections in 2003.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

MoD Use Of In-shore and Off-shore Areas

Training and Exercise Areas;

Manoeuvres; Fire weapons; Operate other equipment; No legal right to exclude others.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

MoD Use Of In-shore and Off-shore Areas

Danger Areas;

Sub-surface, surface, and airspace; MoD can control access; Many are protected by military byelaws;

The MoD and Offshore Wind

MoD Use Of In-shore and Off-shore Areas

Air Weapon Ranges;

16 in UK waters; Turbines near range boundaries could limit low

flying approaches.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

MoD Use Of In-shore and Off-shore Areas

MoD airfields / aerodromes;

16 located on/near the coast; Protected airspace over coastal waters; Cannot have turbines within flight approach paths.

The MoD and Offshore Wind

MoD Use Of In-shore and Off-shore Areas

Vibration / acoustic emissions;

Effect on land based seismometers being assessed; Potential for interference with vessel mounted;

Navigation; Communications; and Surveillance systems.

QUESTIONS