Wind farm expansion exhibitions get underway

Scout Moor Wind Farm

Public consultations showcasing proposals to expand Scout Moor Wind Farm started this week at Rochdale AFC’s Spotland stadium.

The consultation was the first of 11 events being held at venues in Rochdale and the Rossendale Valley over the next three weeks.

The purpose of the first round of consultations is to gain feedback from the public about some of the expansion plans that are being considered by Peel, who operate the existing 26-turbine wind farm. The company will review comments received by members of the public before it decides on a final design layout that it will take forward to an application later next year.

People attending the consultation were able to make use of 3D software available that depicts how the options for expansion of the wind farm might appear from any particular location of interest.

Peel Energy’s development director Jon England said: “We are pleased that this first exhibition has generated a good amount of interest and we are recording all comments made by visitors so that they can be considered as we take the expansion proposal forward. It’s important that the views of the community are considered.”

“Quite a number of people were keen to understand how an extended wind farm might look from particular viewpoints while others wanted to learn more about the Community Benefit Fund and co-operative ownership schemes that we are proposing as part of the plans.”

As well as considering the location and size of new turbines, visitors were also able to discuss other aspects of the proposal with Peel staff, including environmental studies being undertaken and the proposed expansion timetable.

Further events will be held at: 

• The Riverside, Whitworth – 1 December, 2pm – 8pm
• Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre, Rochdale – 3 December, 11am – 5pm
• Fearns Community College, Stacksteads – 5 December, 5pm – 9pm
• Bacup Hub, Bacup – 6 December, 2pm – 8pm
• St Mary’s Chambers, Rawtenstall – 7 December, 2pm – 8pm
• Edenfield Community Centre, Edenfield – 9 December, 2pm – 8pm
• Bury Town Hall, Bury – 10 December, 11am – 5pm
• The Phoenix Centre, Heywood – 12 December, 2pm – 8pm
• Todmorden Town Hall, Todmorden – 14 December, 2pm – 8pm