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The MoD fears the 125-metre-high turbines proposed for Hook Moor could play havoc with the Royal Air Force's radar network.

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Tests carried out by scientists are reported to have revealed that turbulence from supersized propellers creates a 'hole' in radar coverage that makes it impossible to spot potentially-hostile aircraft.

Leeds City Council today confirmed the Defence Ministry had lodged an official objection to the application from development giant Banks for planning permission for the Hook Moor scheme.

A spokesman for the MoD said he could not give details about its stance on an individual project.

He did, say, however: "Air defence radar is essential to the defence of the country.

"We will need to be satisfied that the impact of any proposed wind farm does not compromise our national security."
Rob Williams, renewables projects director at Durham-based Banks, said discussions were ongoing with the MoD.

He added: "(We] are confident that a solution can be found which balances the needs of aviation and the growing requirement for renewable energy."

The Hook Moor wind farm would consist of five turbines, each about a third of the height of the Empire State Building.
Banks says it would create enough energy for more than 8,000 homes without the production of environmentally-damaging greenhouse gases.

Local residents, though, argue that the green belt land earmarked for the turbines is too close to their houses.

The city council is not expected to decide the fate of the planning application for at least another two months.

A temporary 60-metre 'monitoring mast' is, however, due to go up at Hook Moor in the next few weeks.

Data from it will be used by Banks to fine-tune its plans for the wind farm proper.