Hunterston nuclear power station: No fly zone 'breach' claim

Aircraft apps showed that a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 plane repeatedly circled the nuclear power plant - leading to the matter being raised by a concerned resident at a public meeting this week.

West Kilbride community councillor John Lamb, who was attending the Hunterston Site Stakeholders Group, asked the civil nuclear police if they were aware that there was low flying aircraft over the power station zone.

The incident happened on May 25 and the fFlightradar app showed that the plane travelled across Ayrshire before repeatedly circling Hunterston.

Mr Lamb asked if the Civil Aviation Authority had altered the guidance regarding the 'no flight zone' over Hunterson.

Flight app showed plane repeatedly flew over Hunterston (Image: Flight Radar app)
He said: "There was a report on May 25 that there was low lying aircraft flying over Hunterston for a significant period of time as it had been showing on radar apps."

Mr Lamb pointed out that drones have strict guidance not to fly over Hunterston.

Though no longer in operation, the Hunterston power stations are still in a 'no fly zone' for security purposes, and drone users have to apply to the Civil Aviation Authority to fly at nearby Hunterston Castle.

Inspector Paul Gilmartin of the Civil Nuclear Police told the meeting that he was unaware of any reports of low flying aircraft and the matter had not been flagged up to him.

Pilatus small plane was spotted on radar at Hunterston (Image: Pilatus-aircraft)
He said: "If we do come across it it is something we would share with other agencies including Prestwick Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority to look into it as well."

The exclusion zone for manned aircraft surrounding Hunterston resulted in the Red Arrows having to cancel a Viking Festival air show in the district ten years ago.

The airspace above nuclear power stations is restricted under 2,000 feet.

The restrictions, which also apply to drones, extend to a distance of 1km around the core of the facility.

Flight Radar app showed plane circled Hunterston area a number of times (Image: Flight Radar)
The Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 plane did various loops throughout the whole of Ayrshire including its circling of Hunterston.

The meeting, which took place at the Waterside Hotel on Thursday, June 1, was attended by nuclear and environment regulators, councillors and the local public.

The Civil Aviation Authority have been contacted for comment.