Peel Energy fail to lodge Scout Moor appeal before deadline

Scout Moor Wind Farm

Peel Energy has failed to lodge an appeal over plans at Scout Moor Wind Farm before Friday’s (25 August) deadline.

Plans to expand Scout Moor to be the largest onshore wind farm in England were overruled by the government in July. Its final ruling rejected proposals for a further 14 turbines in Rossendale but approved plans for two in Rochdale, ‘subject to conditions’.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111144/plans-to-make-scout-moor-the-largest-onshore-wind-farm-in-england-refused

According to the Royal Courts of Justice, no appeal has been lodged by the developers.

Campaign groups against the controversial development, such as the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum and the Bury Inequalities Forum, are pleased no appeal has been made.

A spokesperson for the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum said: "We are grateful to the inspector and the Secretary of State for conducting a thorough inquiry and arriving at an informed decision."

Doctor Falmai Binns, chairwoman of Bury Rural Inequalities Forum, said: “We are delighted to discover that there has been no appeal to the judgement of the Secretary of State over the Scout Moor Wind Farm development of 16 turbines by Peel.

“We have waited so long since the public hearing last October – first for the decision, and then concerned over an appeal in the six-week period after disclosure.

“The deadline was last Friday with no news either way. Fortunately, ongoing to the Royal Courts of Justice this Monday, we heard there was no challenge lodged. This is final, as there is no scope for extending the timeline for appeal.

“Though 16 turbines were proposed, and 14 we know now cannot be built in Rossendale, two in Rochdale were permitted and it is still unclear with the further conditions imposed if these remaining turbines will be erected or not.

“This was a David versus Goliath exercise with the communities opposing having no resource for legal support. We are most grateful to the inspector for a very fair hearing for all sides.”

Rochdale and Rossendale Borough Councils were approached for comment.