A band of furious locals have grouped together to oppose plans for a “monster” wind farm to be constructed in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
If approved, 20 wind turbines, each standing roughly 200m (656ft) tall, will be erected between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale, near Stang Forest.
The disgruntled locals say they launched the Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group to “save the wildlife corridor and protect the skyline” from the renewable energy project.
Campaigners have warned that the wind farm will be visible up to 75 miles away, including from West Yorkshire, Teesside, Tyneside and the Lake District.
They have compared the 200-metre tall turbines to 20 of London’s Gherkin skyscrapers in their backyard.
But Fred Olsen Renewables, the firm behind the proposals, said they will be able to power 81,000 homes and businesses.
Consultations will run throughout 2026, with a formal application expected the following year, according to the company.
The Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group has also warned the project will wreak havoc on the roughly 130 species of birds living in the area.
It added that the local peatland is crucial for depositing carbon and achieving Britain’s climate goals as it stands.
The Gherkin stands at 180 metres tall – 20 shorter than the proposed turbines
|
PA
The group has so far amassed around 400 members on social media.
Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group spokeswoman Suzy Wilson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “While the group supports renewable energy as a vital tool in combating climate change, it strongly opposes developments that cause irreversible damage to ecologically sensitive habitats, peatlands and ancient woodlands.
“The proposed site is thriving and forms a critical wildlife haven essential for biodiversity.
“Planning for the site has been ongoing for over a year, but there was a clear lack of engagement regarding the proposals.”
On Facebook, she demanded locals “save this sensitive ecological haven”.
It contains “around 130 species of birds, many on the red and amber lists, the prehistoric site, the historical rock art, the high graded peatland, the sky line for miles and miles”, she said.
NET ZERO FEARS – READ MORE:
Fred Olsen Renewables claimed the wind turbines will be able to power 81,000 homes and businesses (file photo)
|
GETTY
Ms Wilson added: “These are ‘turbine monsters’ coming on a high ridge. It will impact every living thing near and far. Once built, there is no getting what we have now back.”
Fred Olsen’s senior project manager Kelly Wyness has said more information will be revealed in a public consultation scheduled for next year.
He said: “We recognise the importance and value of fully engaging with communities, but we want to ensure that everyone has all the necessary information available to determine their opinion.
“Listening to and learning from local people is central to our approach.
“As a family-run business, this is entrenched in everything we do.”
It is expected to cover around 2,792 acres of land
|
GETTY
When the proposals were first unveiled in October, North Yorkshire Council’s Yvonne Peacock said: “This is a major scheme and it is important that people living in the area find out as much information as possible about what’s being proposed.”
The initial plans confirmed that the layout and final number of wind turbines constructed would be agreed upon after consultations with Historic England, Natural England, the Environment Agency and residents.
Fred Olsen Renewables said the project would be “sensitively designed to respect nature and the landscape, as well as the traditional land practices of the upland moors”.
It is expected to cover around 2,792 acres of land.
