Proposed new Scout Moor II wind farm discussed at council meeting
The proposed new Scout Moor II wind farm was discussed at Rossendale Council’s latest full meeting, regarding public events, the planning process and potential land rental income for the borough, if the turbines are built.
Developer Cubico wants to build 18 new turbines and infrastructure near the existing Scout Moor wind farm, which was built around 2007. If approved, Scout Moor II could power over 100,000 homes and meet around 10 per cent of Greater Manchester’s household energy needs, Cubico says.
The plan has sparked a debate in Rossendale and Rochdale. Questions include energy generation and costs, private and public ownership, job creation, potential income for land owners and environment, rural and community issues.
in the past, a previous Scout Moor extension plan in 2015 was supported by Rochdale and Rossendale councils but opposed by objectors and refused by a national planning inspector. Then in 2017, the Conservative government secretary of state at the time, Sajid Javid MP, upheld the refusal.
Now Cubico, the developer behind the new proposal, is holding public sessions this spring in Rossendale and Rochdale. Cubico is linked to a Canadian teachers’ pension plan and PSP Investments, one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers. Cubico operates in ten countries globally with its HQ in London.
QUESTIONS
At Rossendale Council’s latest full meeting, a public question came from a Whitworth resident.
He said: “I trust councillors will visit events over the next few days and months that Cubico is holding. They have held two already. One in Bacup, one in Norden and one in Whitworth this week. Then a couple later this month. But they don’t know which turbines they’ll be using yet.
“Things are a bit vague at the moment but what is the latest situation regarding the planning application for Scout Moor, BESs (battery energy storage system) and a mast?
“And why has potential income being considered in Rossendale Council’s financial forecasts before the planning application has been considered? Does this not compromise your consideration?”
RECENT MEETINGS
In reply, Labour Coun Alyson Barnes, Rossendale Council leader, said: “We have had a number of meetings with Cubico, in terms of the work on consultation. The last was around two weeks ago.
“At that meeting, we were able to see exactly where the turbines are being placed and what they will look like. They had some visual kit to show something on the landscape that isn’t there currently. I would encourage people to be open-minded, go to these sessions and see what they show you and say.”
PLANNING
Labour Coun Andrew Walmsley, the deputy council leader and cabinet member for resources, also spoke. He said: “The local planning authority the council is preparing our responses about scoping requests regarding an environmental impact assessment. After that is issued, a full planning application for Scout Moor II is likely to be submitted.
“The application for a battery energy storage scheme has not yet been made valid because some outstanding information is still needed. Once it is received, the application will be validated and the consultation process will begin.
“Due to the number of objections on the mast application, that will need to be considered by the council’s development control committee, the next date for that is May 13.”
FINANCIAL FORECASTS
On financial matters, Coun Walmsley added: “When the council adjudicates on a planning application it must primarily consider the land-use planning merits. This means factors such as the impact on the environment and local community and compliance with planning polices. It would be unlawful for the planning judgement itself to be influenced by the council’s own financial interest.
“All financial forecasts are based on a series of assumptions,. At this point, the council has included a small amount of rental income in the later years of our medium term financial strategy in relation to land at Scout Moor.
“The council does review, and will continue to review, its forecasts regularly, in light of the latest available information, and will re-forecast in light of appropriate assumptions at various times.”