Local MP Robbie Moore has announced plans to form a cross-party parliamentary group to oppose the proposed Walshaw Moor wind farm, which he warns will have “huge negative impacts” across the region.
The controversial proposals, put forward by Calderdale Wind Farm Limited, include the construction of 65 wind turbines across 2,352 hectares of Walshaw Moor in the Calder Valley on the edge of Bronte country—making it the largest onshore wind farm in England.
The turbines, which would be taller than Blackpool Tower, have sparked significant public concern due to their potential impact on the environment, local heritage, and flood risk.
Mr Moore has written to regional MPs Josh Fenton-Glynn MP (Calder Valley), Kate Dearden MP (Halifax), Oliver Ryan MP (Burnley), Jonathan Hinder MP (Pendle and Clitheroe), and Sir Julian Smith MP (Skipton and Ripon), inviting them to join a cross-party caucus to ‘provide a united voice in Parliament against the development.’
In his letter to the MP’s, the local MP outlined a number of serious concerns, including the disruption of protected peatland, the threat to endangered bird species, increased flood risks for the Calder and Worth Valleys, the transportation of materials, and the potential damage to Brontë Country’s cultural heritage.
The peatland on Walshaw Moor acts as a natural carbon store and flood defence, with the ability to absorb large amounts of rainwater. Mr Moore warns that disturbing this landscape to construct the turbines could release stored carbon and exacerbate flooding in areas that have already suffered from severe flood damage in recent years.
The moorland is also home to endangered species such as the curlew, lapwing, golden plover, merlin, and short-eared owl, which use the area as a breeding ground. Conservationists, including the RSPB, have raised concerns that the construction and operation of the wind farm could have a devastating impact on their populations.
Mr Moore also highlighted the impact on tourism and local businesses, as well as the damaging effect of transporting construction materials to the prospective site.
For more information about objections to the development, visit: https://www.stopcalderdalewindfarm.co.uk/our-objections
It comes after a petition was launched calling for a ban on wind farms on protected peatland in England, saying: “the unintended consequence of building wind farms on protected peat land would be to worsen the nature and climate crisis - peatland's stored carbon would be released as a result of infrastructure construction.”
Residents can sign the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701290/signatures/new
The local MP says he hopes a cross-party caucus will provide a strong voice against the development in Parliament, supporting the Stop Calderdale Wind Farm campaign locally.
Speaking on the proposed wind farm, Robbie Moore MP said:
"These proposals are completely inappropriate for Walshaw Moor. We now know that the Walshaw Moor Windfarm has the potential to completely devastate crucial carbon stores, creating lasting environmental damage and putting communities in the Calder and Worth Valleys at greater risk of flooding - not to mention the incredibly damaging effects on our local heritage, tourism and businesses.
While I support efforts to expand energy, we must ensure that developments are in the right places and do not cause more harm than good. I know many MPs in our region have been contacted by concerned constituents about this proposal, which is why I am launching this cross-party group—to make sure their voices are heard loud and clear in Parliament. If we are to defeat these proposals, we need strong voices both inside and outside of Parliament. I look forward to their responses and hopefully chairing the first meeting of this group in the coming weeks."
