Residents near an onshore windfarm have spoken out over plans that could make the site the largest in England.
Cubico Sustainable Investments has revealed plans to expand the existing 26-turbine Scout Moor Windfarm, located between Rossendale and Rochdale, by adding another 21 turbines. It says that Scout Moor II could bring an estimated £200m of investment and generate enough clean electricity to power over 100,000 homes if approved by Rossendale and Rochdale councils.
The existing £50m windfarm was opened in 2008, but only after a public enquiry following objections put forward by Lancashire County Council, Rochdale Council and Rossendale Council. The windfarm looked set to be added to in August 2015, when Rossendale Borough Council granted planning permission to add another 14 turbines at Scout Moor. But the decision faced numerous objections from residents and two petitions were started by local MPs against the scheme before the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, overturned Rossendale Council's decision.
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Now, Cubico has announced plans to expand the windfarm once more. It believes it could be operational before 2030 and marks the first major onshore wind development in England in over a decade.
Subject to planning permission, Scout Moor II could generate enough clean electricity to power over 100,000 homes and meet around 10 per cent of Greater Manchester’s domestic energy needs. The site was identified as one of the best potential locations for wind energy generation in England, helping to reduce the UK’s reliance on fuel imports, according to Cubico.
Residents' views
After the plans were revealed, residents living close to the site have now spoken out. Scout Moor, with sweeping views over Edenfield, Bacup and Whitworth in Lancashire, finds local resident Frances unconcerned about the visual impact of the proposed windfarm extension from her home on Scout Road.
Speaking to LancsLive, Frances, who has been a resident of Edenfield for "40-odd years", said that the access road built for the existing windfarm hasn't led to heavy traffic.
"They had to build this access road to allow them to get to the site when they built the existing windfarm," she said. "Since Scout Moor Quarry was sold we haven't had much traffic passing by here.
"From the map of the proposed new windfarm I think it will be more visible from the Whitworth side of the hills. It doesn't bother me too much, you occasionally hear the 'swish, swish' sound but that's it really.
"If they were almost doubling the size though I imagine they'd use this road to access the site which would be a concern for us."
Meanwhile, Joy and Rob, residents of Knott Hill for nearly four decades, share a different perspective. On the brink of relocating to Wales, they expressed a sense of relief as the windfarm project progresses.
Rob said: "I wouldn't want to live here anymore with a load of wind turbines towering over us," he said. "It would be the visual impact more than anything.
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"By their very nature these windfarms are never going to be built in the middle of a city so they will effectively spoil the countryside and views for people who lives in rural areas."
Cubico's proposal follows the Labour government's decision to lift the de facto ban on new onshore windfarms, a restriction put in place by the preceding Conservative government nine years prior. If approved, the 100 megawatt Scout Moor II development will be the country's first onshore windfarm in ten years.
What Cubico say
James Pinney, Head of Northern Europe at Cubico, added: “We’re excited about the opportunity for Scout Moor II to play a key role in helping the UK achieve its net zero ambitions and enhance the North West’s position as a national hub for clean energy generation.
“As we progress, we’re looking forward to engaging with local communities and ensuring their participation helps shape a project that leaves positive social, economic and environmental benefits for all.”
