Wind farm plan for moorland above Burnley and Bacup

Proposals have been drawn up for another wind farm, by Kelda Power, on the moors between Burnley, Bacup and Todmorden.

Campaigners claim the South Pennines is falling victim to a ‘wind rush’, with the extension of the giant Scout Moor site and possible expansion of the Coal Clough development at Cliviger.

Coronation Power also secured planning permission for a three-turbine farm at Reaps Moss and a five-turbine development has been approved for nearby Todmorden Moor.

Further south from the current application, a 12-turbine wind farm is destined for Crook Hill, subject to problems with access arrangements.

Sarah Pennie, who has represented the Friends of South Pennines at wind farm public inquiries and is a project officer for Todmorden Moor Restoration Trust, said: “I am appalled - this is just another insult after all of the previous planning permissions.”

She is concerned about the impact on the proposed site, Inchfield Moor, especially if peat is removed to enable construction to begin.

She added: “It is not just about how they look - we know that from various appeals. But if they are removing peat then any carbon benefits which they hope to realise will be lost almost immediately.

“This is like a wind rush - these companies are rushing in for the subsidies before they run out.”

A spokesman for consultants Arcus Renewable Energy said: “Following initial site feasibility studies, it is considered that this site could optimally accommodate up to seven turbines with an approximate maximum blade tip height of 125m.”

The York-based agency will be conducting ecological, wildlife, noise and transport assessment, and a public consultation, in the run-up to a formal planning application being submitted this summer. The applicant is part of the Kelda Group, of which Yorkshire Water is a part.

Councillors in Burnley, Rossendale, Calderdale, Bury and Rochdale will be asked for their views, as well as Natural England.