Views sought on changes to seismic monitor station

COUNCILLORS and other residents are to have a say in a review of planning restrictions surrounding a remote seismic monitoring station — the Eskdalemuir Array.

It follows the intervention of Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell, who was contacted by constituents concerned by the lack of consultation with local people.

With the deadline for feedback originally last Friday, Mr Mundell raised the issue with UK Minister of State for Energy Michael Shanks, who has extended the consultation period until June 12.

He also asked his officials to compile a background report clarifying the reasons why windfarm developments in surrounding areas could cause interference to the sophisticated monitoring equipment and sensors.

The Minister outlined a new approach being considered to safeguard the Eskdalemuir Array from interference resulting from any future on-shore windfarms in the wider area.

Mr Mundell said this week: “I thank the Minister for his prompt response. It is important local people have their views taken into consideration when it comes to any changes being considered involving the Array.

“This is a facility, like the separate and older Eskdalemuir Observatory near-by, which is of both local and international importance.”

The Eskdalemuir Seismic Array, dating from the 1960s cold-war period, primarily monitors ground activity such as nuclear tests.

Managed by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the facility, close to a minor road, benefits from its isolation through limiting interference from seismic ground vibrations (SGVs).

Past research indicates that wind turbines closer to the Array disproportionately result in seismic interference with a single turbine at 10km causing as much as 5500 turbines at 50km.

The MoD currently routinely objects to new windfarm projects within 10km, effectively creating an exclusion zone.

Proposed changes include extending the existing exclusion zone from 10km to 15km around the Array, within which no wind turbine developments would be permitted.

Meanwhile, the current Consultation Zone (up to 50km) would be re-designated as a Restricted Zone (15-50km radius) where new processes for assessing and managing seismic impacts would apply.

Another option being explored is safeguarding the Array by placing the sensors deep underground through the use of boreholes.

Comments can be left online at energygovuk.citizenspace.com/energy-development/eskdalemuir-seismic-array/