THE controversial upgrade of RAF Fylingdales to give it a role in the USA's Son of Star Wars project is expected to begin in April.
The testing and proving of new National Missile Defence equipment is set to take place in the summer of 2005, and should be operationally capable by autumn of next year.
The news is contained in a letter from the Ministry of Defence to Andy Wilson, chief executive of the North York Moors National Park Authority.
The letter, from Nick Witney, Director General of International Security Policy, also says that work is well under way on reducing light pollution from the base.
Mr Wilson is recommending authority members to press for a meeting with a government minister to discuss the way the upgrade has been given final approval.
He is urging members, who meet next week, to press for fuller acceptance of their requests for monitoring of possible health effects and for assurances on the future of the site.
The Evening Press reported recently that the MoD had refused to fund any long-term health study.
Updated: 10:34 Friday, January 09, 2004
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