National Park targeted for missile defence

12 December 2002

National Parks watchdog, The Council for National Parks (CNP)1 has condemned the targeting of the North York Moors National Park for a vast new United States missile defence system in a document published by the MoD yesterday2.

 “This is the clearest sign yet that the MoD intends to build a huge new radar complex at Fylingdales despite its location in the heart of one of the nation’s finest landscapes”,   said Vicki Elcoate, Director of the Council for National Parks.

 “The planning test for any major development in a National Park is that it must meet a national need and that there are no alternatives3.  The MoD seems to be jumping the gun by pointing to Fylingdales at this early stage.  CNP calls on the Government to abide by its own rules4 and make a full study of the need and alternatives for this proposal. The Government must show proper regard for the national importance of this landscape before making any assumptions about Fylingdales.

 “The existing Fylingdales5 base is already an ugly blot on the North York Moors. A full and effective public consultation of national need and alternatives to this site must take place at the earliest possible stage.”

Contact:  Ruth Chambers 020 7924 4077 ext 222

Notes to editors

1.              The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.

2.              The Ministry of Defence has published a “public consultation paper” on the subject of the new missile defence system under development by the United States of America.

3.              Planning Policy Guidance Note 7 states in paragraph 4.5: “Because of the serious impact that major developments may have on these areas of natural beauty, applications for all such developments must be subject to the most rigorous examination.”

4.              A policy statement by the Secretary of State for Defence in July 2000 committed the MoD to follow the planning system as closely as possible: “Departmental standards and arrangements are to be introduced which will be, so far as is reasonably practical, at least as good as those required by legislation. I will only invoke any powers given to me to disapply legislation on the grounds of national security when such action is absolutely essential for the maintenance of operational capability”.

5.            The RAF Fylingdales site was redeveloped in 1986 when the original “golfballs” were replaced. No rigorous Environmental Impact Assessment was undertaken, nor were alternative ways of meeting the stated defence need considered. CNP strongly objected to the proposals.

For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222