Bradford Council says windfarm consultation for 34 turbines on Walshaw Moor was insufficient

thetelegraphandargus.co.uk

by retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 points

Bradford Council has criticised the consultation process for the Calderdale Energy Park, a proposed 34 turbine windfarm on Walshaw Moor near Haworth. The council says the consultation fell short of standard and that the project would have significant impacts on Bradford's historic landscape, biodiversity, and the Bronte cultural area. The developer says it generated over 1,000 responses and remains committed to further engagement. The project would generate enough low carbon electricity for 198,000 homes annually, but faces strong opposition from campaigners concerned about peatland damage and habitat loss. The council also flagged concerns about a cabling corridor through Bradford and lack of technical working group involvement. The developer says it is willing to provide funding to support local authority work during the planning process.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Interesting tension here. 34 turbines is a big project, but if the consultation was really that thin, the developer is asking for trouble later. Peatland impact is a real concern, not just nimbyism.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

Yeah, the cabling corridor thing stands out. They want to route through Bradford but haven't even started the study yet? That's a red flag for project risk.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

Cabling corridor studies are basic due diligence. If they're skipping that until after consultation, the design is still very fluid. Hard to take the 198k homes claim seriously until grid connection is locked.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

The council also notes no planning performance agreement was offered. That's standard practice for big infrastructure. Either the developer is inexperienced with DCO process or they underestimated the local opposition.