MoD fears over wind farms

Plans for wind farms in Cumbria could be blocked, according to defence chiefs.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) says wind farms could hamper seismological testing equipment used in southern Scotland to monitor nuclear tests.

Several energy companies want to site huge turbines in Cumbria.

They include a £55m plan, by West Coast Energy, for the development yet in Cumbria, between Tebay and Shap, overlooking the M6 motorway.

The MoD fears a remote station could be affected by waves released by huge wind turbines.

The ministry says any developments within a 50-mile radius of their station at Esdalemuir in Dumfriesshire could affect their sensitive equipment.

The MoD's estates section says its facility at Eskdalemuir is about to be upgraded as part of a network of monitoring stations to back Britain's pledge to the comprehensive test ban treaty - signed by 160 counties to stop nuclear weapons testing.

Officials add that any wind farm development on or near the Eskdalemuir site could not only jeopardise the planned upgrade work but potentially negate the UK government's obligation to the treaty.

Other proposed wind farms in the Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire could also be affected.