FARMERS and horse-riders have expressed their concerns about the deployment of Apache 'tank-busting' helicopters on Dartmoor.
The Ministry of Defence is currently purchasing a fleet of the American anti-tank helicopters and, according to John Bainbridge, chief executive of the Dartmoor Preservation Association, Junior Defence Minister John Speller told the Council for National Parks last year they would be operating over Dartmoor and other parks.
However, this week an MoD spokesperson said the helicopters would be used on tank-training grounds in the main, which did not include Dartmoor.
Mr Bainbridge said farmers and commoners were worried about the effects of the machines on livestock, and horse-riders feared their animals might bolt in fear.
'Unlike other helicopters the Apache is designed to fly really low and they are famously noisy,' he said. 'A number of farmers and commoners have privately expressed concern to DPA officers that the helicopters will disturb livestock and horse-riders — we are concerned about the effects they will have on the National Park, especially on livestock, after the traumas of farmers over the last few months, and the peace and quiet of the moor.'
Mr Bainbridge was also worried about the use of 'depleted uranium' shells, which are the machines' main armament in the USA.
The MoD spokesman said the helicopters were not due to go into service until the early part of next year. He could not say exactly where they would be used, but most likely on the Army's tank ranges — which does not include Dartmoor, he said.
The spokesperson added the Apache was not particularly noisy, since one of the design criteria was that they should be quiet to enable them to 'sneak' up on targets.
'That's one of the great things about the Apache.'
He said even if it were flown on Dartmoor, normal flying rules would apply. And he added that British forces would not be using depleted uranium weaponry.