MOD policy is to object to any wind farm development within the exclusion zone and it is required to be notified of any planned developments within the consultation zone. The forces acting on wind turbines cause vibrations in their structure which can travel underground for many kilometres.Īs a result of a 2005 report, a 10km exclusion zone operates around the array, along with a further 50km consultation zone. Government policy, managed by the MOD, is to protect the array from seismic vibrations from other sources that might interfere with its intended purpose. The Eskdalemuir Seismic Array comprises a number of seismometers intended to detect vibrations caused by nuclear tests. The petition was heard in the Outer House of the Court of Session by Lord Tyre. The petitioner sought declarator that the MOD’s policies were unreasonable, ultra vires, and unlawful, as well as a reduction of the noise budget. The planning application of Energiekontor UK Ltd at the Little Hartfell site was objected to by the Ministry of Defence in accordance with its policy on noise budget. A developer of commercial wind farms that applied for planning permission for a wind farm within the consultation zone of the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array has succeeded in petitioning the court for a time extension to begin proceedings for judicial review.
