Extra protections wanted for Eskdalemuir

NEW planning rules being considered by the UK Government must protect vital defence infrastructure such as the seismic monitoring system at Eskdalemuir.

That was the demand this week from Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell, who spoke out on the issue during a debate in Parliament on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

The Eskdalemuir seismic array has been operating since 1962 and is a monitoring station established to detect seismic signals from nuclear explosions.

Current rules require specific consultation on any developments within a 50km consultation zone around the array, and a 10km exclusion zone is in place to protect the station’s operation.

However, the local MP shared with Parliament his concerns that continual large-scale windfarm developments in the area could undermine the operation of the array and called for measures to strengthen protections around it.

David Mundell said: “The Eskdalemuir array is a vital asset in global monitoring, in scientific research, and, crucially, in helping to keep the UK compliant with its international obligations under the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.

“Over recent years, its seismometers have picked up the sonic boom from Russian jets in UK airspace and have detected underground nuclear tests in North Korea. On one occasion, it was able to detect signals generated by the detonation of around 100 tonnes of conventional explosives in Kazakhstan. All that is clear evidence of the unique nature of the site and its capabilities.

“The concern, however, is that the location of windfarm developments around the array run the risk of affecting its operations, since it needs a seismically quiet environment and wind turbines cause vibrations that can travel underground for many kilometres.”

Mr Mundell insisted when considering the Bill the government must be willing to take measures where issues of national defence are at stake, adding: “The UK Government should robustly refuse to entertain novel technologies within the 15 km exclusion zone proposed by the Eskdalemuir Working Group, which would replace the existing ten km zone.”

He wants the changes to also apply to applications already in the planning system.

“Our national defence must come first,” he stressed. “I am sure most people would agree this is an area where an abundance of caution is well justified.

“It would be concerning if Ministers and the Ministry of Defence were pressured into going too far in the name of Net Zero.

“Any loosening of the rules on infrastructure developments around facilities like Eskdalemuir, or passing up the opportunity to reinforce existing rules, would send entirely the wrong message.”