Womenwith Hill Women's Peace Camp[aign]
P.O. Box 105,
Harrogate
HG3 2FE

Tuesday 5th February 2002

Re: Menwith Hill US National Security Agency SIGINT Station: unauthorised installations at SATCOM Car Park [DC 00/02831/CROWND]:

In August 2000 I wrote a letter of objection to the retrospective Notice of Proposed Development for continued use of the 'hardstanding car park' adjacent to SATCOM Compound (Building 43). In my letter I observed that this elevated mound was constructed for use other than a car park.

Recently I observed the installation, at the SATCOM car park, of two metal cylinders, curved at the top, in appearance similar to farm feed silos, but shiny. I note there is a cable connection from a generator in the ISS Compound to the north and from SATCOM Compound to the said car park.

I reported to the January meeting of the Menwith Hill Forum that I had observed this installation and estimated the dimensions of the cylinders to be c 10 metres high & 3 metres diameter. As I observed the work in progress from the public highway, B6451, I cannot be definite about these measurements.

Last week I noted two light grey, windowless, single-storey buildings on the SATCOM car park, in approximately the position where the cylinders were installed.

My investigations have led me to the conclusion that the two cylinders are transmitters for the USA Space Command's MILSTAR, the latest US military communications' system. If this is the case, then I believe that they are an element of the USA's controversial Space Based Infra Red System [SBIRS]: space surveillance for the USA's Missile Defense Programme [commonly known as 'Star Wars'].

Menwith Hill has been designated the European Relay Ground Station for SBIRS. Two radomes [encasing downlink receiving dish antennas] and Operations' Buildings [containing computerised processing equipment] have been installed. The 'intelligence' thus collected and processed has then to be relayed onwards to the Space Warfare Center inside Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado.

In light of the fact that the Harrogate Borough and North Yorkshire County Councils were given assurances that they would be taken into consultation before there were any further 'Star Wars' developments at Menwith Hill, may I ask that you enquire what is the purpose of the installations at the so-called SATCOM car park and why no Notice of Proposed Development was submitted?

There could be radio frequency emissions which may interfere with aircraft electronic systems.

It is not acceptable that structures are erected and retrospective application filed. This gives neither the Council nor the public an opportunity to make representation. The Council is failing in its obligations to the electorate if such unauthorised developments continue to be countenanced.

Planning Law is being violated. The provisions of DoE Circular 18/84 are intended for the safeguard of the public, not the convenience of the USA National Security Agency.

Yours sincerely,

Anne Lee [pp WoMenwith Hill Women's Peace Camp[aign].

cc: Chief Executive, Harrogate Borough Council; MoD Land Agent, Defence Lands Services, Catterick Garrison; Menwith Hill Forum; Yorkshire CND.