Wind farm expansion plan set to create new turbulence
MEN on Sunday|November 24, 2024
Proposals would create biggest turbine development in England
GEORGE LYTHGOE
Wind farm expansion plan set to create new turbulence

ALMOST two decades ago, residents in the towns and villages near vast moorland straddling Greater Manchester and Lancashire were left in uproar.

In the mid-2000s, plans had been submitted to build 26 wind turbines on a large area between Rochdale and Rossendale. The Scout Moor Wind Farm project sparked the beginning of a turbulent saga that continues to this day.

Now, almost 20 years later, people in Rochdale, Edenfield, and Rawtenstall are faced with yet another plan for a wind farm - and this one is expected to be England's biggest.

What has been named 'Scout Moor II' would see 21 bigger and more powerful wind turbines built next to the ones already standing on the moorlands. They would be capable of powering around 100,000 homes per year, which is around 10 per cent of Greater Manchester's needs, according to the renewable energy developer Cubico Sustainable Investments.

For the people of Norden, who live directly south of the current wind farm, this is all too familiar.

Local politician Coun James Gartside has represented the village of Norden since the 1980s, and he's not sure what the community's response will be this time. Back in the mid-2000s when the first wind farm was tabled by Peel, the Norden councillor was amongst the many people opposing the plans in his area as well as other villages on the periphery of the moors.

They even managed to rope in television presenter, author and environmental campaigner David Bellamy to stop the new turbines.

The campaigners feared the high level of concrete used to keep the turbines standing would mean irreversible damage to the peatlands in the area.

Despite their best efforts to stop Scout Moor Wind Farm happening, planning permission was granted in 2005 and construction started in 2007.

However, when plans were submitted to double the wind farm's size in 2011, campaigners were successful in getting it stopped.

This story is from the November 24, 2024 edition of MEN on Sunday.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 24, 2024 edition of MEN on Sunday.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MEN ON SUNDAYView All
'Obsessed' Guardiola can't find solution to puzzle
MEN on Sunday

'Obsessed' Guardiola can't find solution to puzzle

PEP Guardiola has 'obsessed' over City's rotten run 'maybe too much' according to his goalkeeper Stefan Ortega this week.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 22, 2024
MEN on Sunday

Antony at crossroads ahead of January

UNITED splashed £86m on Antony in Erik ten Hag's first transfer window at the club.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
MOUNT: I WILL NEVER GIVE UP OR LOSE FAITH
MEN on Sunday

MOUNT: I WILL NEVER GIVE UP OR LOSE FAITH

Injury-prone man sends message of hope to fans

time-read
2 mins  |
December 22, 2024
Sharks boss Chiefs to maintain home record
MEN on Sunday

Sharks boss Chiefs to maintain home record

SALE secured a 28-10 bonus-point victory which maintained their 100 per cent winning home record this season and condemned rock-bottom Exeter to another loss.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 22, 2024
‘Rewiring England at devolution event
MEN on Sunday

‘Rewiring England at devolution event

THERE'S clearly something about the Nexus building, on the edge of Leeds city centre, that makes it the perfect setting for politicians who want to talk up the benefits of handing over powers to local leaders.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 22, 2024
Rising from the BROWN STOUT ANYIL BRAND HOPSTER ashes
MEN on Sunday

Rising from the BROWN STOUT ANYIL BRAND HOPSTER ashes

Former warehouse gutted by fire has become a thriving pub and hotel

time-read
2 mins  |
December 22, 2024
MEN on Sunday

New city centre venue is finalist in awards

A CITY centre pub described as a 'temple' for beer lovers has been named as a finalist at a top awards ceremony celebrating the best in the country.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
Aleway station
MEN on Sunday

Aleway station

New craft beer spot at Oxford Road is company's third site in the city

time-read
3 mins  |
December 22, 2024
How many more like Caroline are out there?
MEN on Sunday

How many more like Caroline are out there?

Court case's eerie similarities show domestic violence is ever-present

time-read
4 mins  |
December 22, 2024
Light shed on sums spent on illuminations
MEN on Sunday

Light shed on sums spent on illuminations

GREATER Manchester's 10 councils are set to spend around more than half a million pounds on Christmas lights this year.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 22, 2024