Wind farm expansion plans discussed

Visitors viewing an interactive 3D representation of the wind farm expansion

Over 150 people have attended public consultation events showcasing proposals to expand Scout Moor Wind Farm.

The purpose of this first round of consultation is to gain feedback from people about the potential options for expanding the existing wind farm which was developed and is now operated by Peel Energy.

The first five events have seen people raise a number of different topics with members of the project team.

Peel’s development director, Jon England, said: “Many visitors have understandably taken an interest in how an expansion might appear from viewpoints local to them. Others have asked about the long term plans we have to improve the moorland and quite a number have asked about the Community Benefit Fund and co-operative ownership schemes that we are proposing as part of the plans.”

He added: “This first series of consultations has attracted a good level of interest and we have gained some very valuable feedback from the different communities we have visited so far. We are pleased with the responses we are getting from local residents, councillors and interested bodies.

“Visitors attending the consultations have the opportunity to comment on the proposals so that their views can be considered as we take the project forward. We are committed to meaningful consultation and we encourage people to come along to an event to talk with us.”

“The feedback we gain from this first round of consultations will help to refine our plans so that we can come back and consult on a more definitive scheme next year, detailing the proposed locations, numbers and sizes of new turbines.”

Consultation events are ongoing and will be held at: 

• St Mary’s Chambers, Rawtenstall – 7 December, 2.00pm – 8.00pm
• Edenfield Community Centre, Edenfield – 9 December, 2.00pm – 8.00pm
• Bury Town Hall, Bury – 10 December, 11.00am – 5.00pm
• The Phoenix Centre, Heywood – 12 December, 2.00pm – 8.00pm
• Todmorden Town Hall, Todmorden – 14 December, 2.00pm – 8.00pm