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Wednesday, 7 May 2025

Press release from Stop Calderdale Wind Farm

24 Down, 41 to Go – The fight against the Turbines goes on

Campaigners against the newly rebranded Calderdale Energy Park – previously known as Calderdale Wind Farm – are urging local residents to carry on fighting the huge industrial development proposed for Walshaw Moor.

Although the scheme has been scaled back from 65 to 41 turbines in response to strong local opposition, it would still devastate the carbon- rich peat moorland above Hebden Bridge and Haworth, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a thriving breeding ground for endangered curlews, lapwings and golden plovers.

Stop Calderdale Wind Farm, who have spearheaded the campaign against the development from the outset, are urging people to respond to the public consultation which lasts until 10 June.

Opponents can email their objections to the developers at info@calderdaleenergypark.co.uk or write to them at Freepost Calderdale Energy Park.

The developers are holding two Public Relations exhibitions in the area at Hebden Bridge Town Hall on Tuesday 13 May from 1.30 - 7pm and at Oxenhope Community Centre on Saturday 17 May from 12-5pm. Local residents are encouraged to go along to these exhibitions and make their views known.

Wadsworth Parish Council are also carrying out a Wind Farm Survey for local residents which closes soon. Full details of this and the developers' consultation are on the Stop Calderdale Wind Farm website: www.stopcalderdalewindfarm.co.uk.

As well as being an Site of Special Scientific Interest, Walshaw Moor is internationally protected as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA). A wind farm on this site would cause irrevocable ecological damage to sensitive moorland habitats and wildlife, particularly ground-nesting birds.

Damaging the blanket peat bogs on Walshaw Moor would also greatly increase the risk of flooding in the highly vulnerable Calder Valley and would significantly increase carbon emissions, exacerbating (rather than reducing) climate change.

The landscape of the Upper Calder Valley is some of the most spectacular in the UK comparable with the National Parks. A valued local amenity, it acts as a magnet for walkers and cyclists from far and wide. An intrusive industrial development consisting of 41 turbines 200 metres in height covering 9 square miles is completely inappropriate for this location, especially given its proximity to the National Trust estate of Hardcastle Crags and the beautiful valley of Crimsworth Dean.

Visually the turbines would completely dominate the landscape, not only on Walshaw Moor but throughout the surrounding area, intruding on significant views throughout Calderdale and Brontë Country. This highly insensitive development would ruin some of the most outstanding countryside in Yorkshire, causing irrevocable damage to the natural and cultural heritage of Calderdale and Bronte Country – the landscape that inspired the Brontes and Ted Hughes.

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