Plan for England's largest wind farm 'scaled back'

Plans for the largest onshore wind farm in England have been scaled back by a developer.

Calderdale Energy Park said it would apply for permission to build 41 turbines instead of the 65 originally planned on land near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire.

A consultation period has now begun and people have been invited to submit their views on the project over the next six weeks.

A spokesperson for the company said it had also "removed the solar panel element" from the revised designs.

The company first revealed the plans in 2023 and said the scheme would generate enough electricity to power more than 286,000 homes a year.

However, environmental campaigners have said the development would disturb peat bogs on Walshaw Moor and release carbon into the atmosphere.

The firm's spokesperson said: "We're pleased to be able share our updated proposals for Walshaw Moor and look forward to hearing from local people about our ambitions.

"Our latest plan includes up to 41 turbines - a reduction from 65. We have also removed the solar panel element from the design.

"Calderdale Energy Park presents a key opportunity to support the government's target to achieve at least 95% of low carbon energy generation by 2030."

Large parts of Walshaw Moor are blanket bog and protected peatland.

Sandra Rout, from campaign group Stop Calderdale Wind Farm, said: "Building wind farms on protected peatland, which is a natural carbon sink, is counterproductive - it will worsen the climate and nature crisis by releasing CO2.

"In addition to the turbines, this site would incorporate 22 miles (35 km) of access roads and a substation."

She said the group feared the plans would lead to increased risk of flooding at Hebden Bridge and nearby towns.

"There are plenty of other suitable sites for wind farms, as identified in a report by the RSPB," she said.

"We are calling for government-led action to plan where this technology goes."

The application to build the wind farm will be decided by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband MP, after the site was designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

It means that although Calderdale Council can be consulted, councillors will not have the final say on whether the project proceeds.

Currently the largest wind farm in England is at Keadby in Lincolnshire, where there are 34 turbines.

The largest in the UK is at Whitelee near Glasgow with 215 turbines.

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