Contact us
Visit CPRE.org
Donate
Controversy surrounds Walshaw Moor wind farm proposal
Walshaw Moor, Calderdale, West Yorkshire – Campaigners identify “numerous errors” concerning the controversial wind farm and battery storage site at one of the UK’s most highly protected natural habitats and call for a halt to consultation.
The proposed Calderdale Energy Park, a 41-turbine wind farm on Walshaw Moor, has sparked significant controversy among local communities and environmental groups. The Walshaw Turbines Research Group (WTRG) has sent a legal letter to Calderdale Wind Farm Ltd (CWF Ltd), demanding that the public consultation for the project be postponed for at least six months.
WTRG has highlighted numerous errors in the design process of the Calderdale Energy Park, including mistakes in maps and serious issues related to flood risk, civil engineering, and aerodynamics. The group’s leader, Nick MacKinnon, has published a document detailing these errors, which renowned environmentalist Mark Avery has supported.
Walshaw Moor is one of the UK’s most highly protected natural habitats, and the proposed wind farm has raised concerns about its potential environmental impact. Rare birds, such as red-listed lapwings and curlews, breed in the area, and their habitats are at risk of being destroyed by the development.
Residents and environmentalists also worry about the impact on the moor’s natural beauty and cultural significance. Top Withens, a Pennine Way walking destination said to be the inspiration for Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights and Dove Stones, a popular spot for people from Burnley, Colne, and Hebden Bridge, are just two of the areas that would be affected by the construction of the wind farm.
The controversy has led to calls for postponing the public consultation to allow for a thorough review of the project’s documents and to address the systemic carelessness identified by WTRG. The outcome of this dispute will have significant implications for the future of Walshaw Moor and the surrounding communities.
CPRE West Yorkshire Statement
CPRE West Yorkshire supports the urgent need to tackle climate change and move toward a net-zero future through renewable energy. However, protecting the natural world while achieving net zero is equally important. CPRE’s national rooftop solar campaign exemplifies this ambition, advocating using rooftops on new homes, commercial buildings, and car parks for solar energy.
A spokesperson comments, “The proposed wind farm at Walshaw Moor lies within one of England’s most environmentally protected landscapes. Walshaw Moor is part of the South Pennine Moors Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), reflecting its importance for wildlife, peatland habitats, and carbon storage.”
CPRE West Yorkshire responded↗ to Calderdale Council’s 2023 scoping opinion consultation, urging Calderdale Council to conduct the required Environmental Impact Assessment in two stages, first focusing on the Habitat and Species Regulations before considering other impacts.
CPRE West Yorkshire supports campaigners contesting the development of the Walshaw Moor wind farm, recognising the importance of local knowledge in shaping planning applications and proposals. You can find more information about Walshaw Moor here
Further reading*
*External links: The links provided on this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended as endorsements or guarantees of the content on external websites. We make no representations or warranties about the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information found on those sites. CPRE West Yorkshire cannot be held responsible for any damages or losses arising from your use of these external links or the content they contain. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the content of a linked site, you should contact the owner directly.
