Consultation starts on controversial moorland windfarm above Hebden Bridge
A string of in-person consultation events are to be held over Calderdale Energy Park’s proposals to site 34 giant turbines on moorland at Walshaw Moor
Developers behind controversial proposals to build what would be one of the country’s largest windfarms on a section of Yorkshire moorland have started statutory public consultation over the scheme.
A string of in-person consultation events over Calderdale Energy Park’s proposals to site 34 giant turbines on moorland at Walshaw Moor above Hebden Bridge are being held before the Wednesday, June 10, deadline.
But opponents of the scheme accuse them of rushing the process through and ignoring Calderdale and Bradford Council requests to delay the start until after May’s elections in the process.
The in-person sessions will be held at three locations in Bradford, one in Calderdale itself and two over the border in Lancashire at Colne.
If ultimately approved, the turbines will be visible for miles, including overlooking Bronte Country moorland, and have sparked widespread concern and opposition citing concerns about damage to protected peat bogs, impact on wildlife, increasing flood risk and releasing stored carbon.
They argue the turbines would harm landscape, heritage and tourism, disrupt access routes, cause construction traffic, and bring limited local benefit despite claims of green energy.
Calderdale Energy Park says turbines have been reduced in number from 41 to 34 and claim the 240 mega watt (MW) project presents a key opportunity to generate enough clean energy to power more than double the number of houses in Calderdale.
Calderdale Energy Park would be capable of generating enough electricity to power approximately 198,000 homes and reduce national CO2 emissions by around 2.9 million tonnes over the windfarm’s lifetime, they argue.
The company’s proposals also include a dedicated Community Benefit Fund worth £1.2million per year, providing financial support for local groups and initiatives, they say.
The company says it is now seeking people’s views and offering the chance to provide more feedback.
Feedback from a previous non-statutory consultation has shaped the proposals, says Calderdale Energy Park, including the reduction in turbines.
A new connection point at Bradford West substation has also been revealed by the company – previously it was announced four connection points are planned in total.
Calderdale Council is a consultee and classed as the “host” authority, but will not decide on the application because it is being treated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project
The Planning Inspectorate will examine evidence, hear arguments and make a recommendation but the final approval or refusal will be made at national Government level by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Christian Egal, Project Director said: “We believe this is a unique opportunity for the people of Calderdale, Bradford and Pendle to secure millions of pounds of investment into the local economy, develop specialist green skills and unlock up to £36m over the next 30 years to invest in local projects and initiatives.
“We understand that people will have differing views on the project.
“The statutory consultation is an important part of the process, and it gives anyone interested the opportunity to view the revised plans and provide feedback.
“At a time when the cost of energy is once again at the top of everyone’s minds, we encourage people to take part so all perspectives can be fully considered.”
But opponents of the proposals are concerned the process is being started now.
One of them, the Peatland Alliance, says a Calderdale Council request not to start the process until after May’s elections has been ignored.
“The wind farm developer’s decision will put the efficacy and transparency of the consultation process at risk, according to strongly-worded advice from Calderdale Council.
“Calderdale Council advised Calderdale Energy Park that the timing of the consultation should avoid the sensitive pre-election period, so as to ‘ensure that newly elected councillors and new council administrations are properly consulted.’
“Bradford Council made the same request.
“Calderdale Energy Park appears to have brushed the councils’ views aside,” they say.
A Peatland Alliance campaigner said: “It could be a case of more haste, less speed.
“If they mess up the statutory consultation, Calderdale Council has the right to make representations to the examining authority – the Planning Inspectorate – as the process continues.
“The Planning Inspectorate can refuse to accept the application for examination.”
Peatland Alliance claims the consultation period is too short – local authorities were recommending a 12-week period.
“Why don’t they just accept now that Walshaw Moor’s highly-protected blanket bog is not an appropriate place for a wind farm and give up?
“Before wasting any more of everyone’s time and energy,” said the campaigner.
Calderdale Energy Park’s six in-person consultation sessions are at: Denholme Community Centre, Denholme, Bradford on Friday, April 17, from 2pm to 7pm; at Oxenhope Community Centre, Oxenhope, Bradford, on Saturday, April 18, from 1pm to 5pm; at Hebden Bridge Town Hall on Tuesday, April 21, from 1pm to 7pm; at Trawden Forest Community Centre, Colne, on Saturday, May 9, from 11am to 3pm; at Haworth Village Hall on Tuesday, May 19, from 1pm to 7pm; and at Primet Community Centre, Colne, on Thursday, May 21, from 2pm to 7pm.
Further information about the project and statutory consultation can be found at www.calderdalenergypark.co.uk – members of the public can provide feedback via the online feedback form.
Members of the public can also contact the project team with questions or provide feedback by emailing [email protected] or by phoning 01422 702506 between 9am and 5.30pm, Mondays to Fridays, during this period.
Paper copies of the feedback form will be available at the in-person public exhibition events and can be downloaded and printed from the website, says the developer.
These, or letters outlining feedback, can be posted to Freepost, CALDERDALE ENERGY PARK (no stamp required).
Feedback on the proposals will be accepted until 11.59pm on Thursday, May 28, 2026, says the developer.