THE Ministry of Defence has won a planning battle to prevent birds threatening aircraft at two North-East bases.
The MoD successfully tabled strong objections over a scheme to create four fishing lakes close to Dishforth Aerodrome, near Ripon, and RAF Topcliffe, near Thirsk, both North Yorkshire.
It told planners the lakes on a countryside site next to the A168 at Asenby, near Thirsk, would attract birds - posing a danger of to aircraft.
Members of Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council backed planning officers' advice and refused the application by Guy Reeds Farms.
The MoD said the site - 3km north-east of Dishforth and 5km southwest of Topcliffe - would be within "birdstrike" zones surrounding both airfields.
Planning officer Mike Warden said safety of military and other aircraft was a material consideration and, because of the strong protests from the MoD, the development should be refused.
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