The CAA has no responsibilities for safeguarding sites other than its own property: aerodrome operators are responsible for safeguarding their own sites. Councils are reminded of their obligations to consult in accordance with ODPM/DfT Circular 1/2003 or Scottish Government Circular 2/2003, and in particular to consult with NATS and the Ministry of Defence as well as any officially safeguarded aerodromes listed in the above documents.
It is published government advice that the operators of licensed aerodromes which are not officially safeguarded, and operators of unlicensed aerodromes and sites for other aviation activities (for example gliding or parachuting) should take steps to protect their locations from the effects of possible adverse development by establishing an agreed consultation procedure between themselves and the local planning authority or authorities.
Further information is available in:
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CAP 168 Licensing of Airfields
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CAP 793 Safe Operating Practices at Unlicensed Airfields.
One method, recommended by the Civil Aviation Authority, is to lodge a non-official safeguarding map with the local planning authority or authorities. Government advice requests Local Planning Authorities respond sympathetically to requests for this non-official safeguarding.
The CAA encourages councils / planning authorities and developers to undertake relevant consultation with known local aerodromes regardless of status or the existence of any aerodrome/council safeguarding agreement. This should include local emergency service Air Support Units (e.g. Police Helicopter or Air Ambulance) and, where appropriate, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in terms of Search and Rescue implications.
In terms of charting, there is an international civil aviation requirement for all structures of 300 feet (91.4 metres) or more to be charted on aeronautical charts. Please note the maximum height of a wind turbine is measured to the blade tips not the hub or nacelle.
Further guidance is provided below:
Structures with a maximum height of 300 ft. (91.4m) above ground level or higher
Such structures should be reported to the Defence Geographic Centre (DGC) (0208 818 2702, mail to dvof@mod.uk) which maintains the UK's database of tall structures (the Digital Vertical Obstruction File) at least 10 weeks prior to the start of construction.
The DGC will require the:
- accurate location of the turbines / meteorological masts,
- accurate maximum heights,
- the lighting status of the turbines / meteorological masts and the estimated start / end dates for construction,
- the estimate of when the turbines are scheduled to be removed.
In addition, the developer should also provide the maximum height of any construction equipment required to build the turbines. In order to ensure that aviation stakeholders are aware of the turbines / meteorological masts while aviation charts are in the process of being updated, developments should be notified through the means of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).
To arrange an associated NOTAM, a developer should contact CAA Airspace Regulation (AROps@caa.co.uk / 0207 453 6599); providing the same information as required by the DGC at least 14 days prior to the start of construction.
Structures with a maximum height below 300 ft. (91.4m) above ground level
On behalf of other non-regulatory aviation stakeholders, and in the interest of Aviation Safety, the CAA also requests that any feature/structure 70 ft. (21.3m) in height, or greater, above ground level is also reported to the Defence Geographic Centre (DGC) to allow for the appropriate notification to the relevant aviation communities. It should be noted that NOTAMs would not routinely be required for structures under 300 ft. (91.4m) unless specifically requested by an aviation stakeholder.
Any structure of 150 metres or more must be lit in accordance with the Air Navigation Order and should be appropriately marked. However, if an aviation stakeholder (including the MOD) makes a request for lighting/marking of structures, including wind turbines and anemometer masts, of lesser height it is highly likely that the CAA would support such a request, particularly if the request falls under Section 47 of the Aviation Act.
Additional information is contained within CAP 764.