The updated proposals reflect significant changes made in response to feedback from local communities, stakeholders and consultees, with the scheme refined to reduce potential impacts, strengthen environmental mitigation and support a long-term programme of local community investment.
Building upon our role in co-ordinating the submission of the original application for full planning permission in July 2025, and leading engagement with the Rossendale & Rochdale Local Planning Authorities (LPA) and statutory/specialist consultees throughout 2025/2026, our Planning team led the preparation of the FEI and supported the design evolution of the wind farm. The FEI includes a full replacement Environmental Statement, managed by our EIA team, with inputs from our specialist Heritage and Sustainability teams.
Updated socio-economic impact reporting has been provided by our Economics team to demonstrate the substantial benefits the wind farm will deliver to the local, regional and national economy. Our Design team provided updates to the Outdoor Access Strategy, setting out how public access to the moorland will be protected and enhanced as part of the scheme. Following submission, our Planning team will continue to manage negotiations with the LPA’s and consultees.
Since the project was first introduced, the number of proposed turbines has been reduced from 17 to 12, with further changes made to the layout and infrastructure following consultation feedback.
If approved, Scout Moor II would generate around 70MW of clean, homegrown electricity, subject to final turbine selection, helping support the country’s future energy needs while delivering long-term investment into local communities and a significant programme of moorland restoration.
Key changes made to the proposals include:
- A reduction in turbine numbers from 17 to 12.
- Turbines and infrastructure removed from the deepest areas of peat.
- Fewer turbines visible from nearby communities and key viewpoints.
- Greater separation from the Pennine Bridleway and other key recreational routes.
- A revised grid connection route that avoids Edenfield and Waterfoot villages.
- Enhanced habitat restoration and peatland management proposals.
- The revised plans also continue to include a significant programme of moorland restoration and peatland enhancement, focused on restoring degraded peat habitats, improving biodiversity, supporting carbon storage and strengthening the long-term resilience of the moor.
Consultation feedback from local residents, community groups, elected representatives, statutory/specialist consultees and other stakeholders has played a central role in shaping the evolution of the project.
Peter Rowe, Project Lead for Scout Moor II at Cubico, said:
“From the outset, we said that consultation would help shape Scout Moor II, and the updated proposals show that this has happened.
“The project today is different because people have engaged. The feedback we received has directly influenced the proposals and resulted in meaningful changes to the scheme.
“These include reducing the number of turbines, removing infrastructure from the deepest areas of peat, increasing separation from key recreational routes and revising the grid connection route to avoid Edenfield and Waterfoot villages.
“We know there will continue to be different views about the project, but we hope people can see that the consultation has been a genuine process of listening, engagement and refinement.”
"We believe the revised proposals strike a better balance between delivering homegrown renewable energy, reducing local and environmental impacts and creating long-term benefits for local communities.”
Associate Director, Planning, Thomas Lord, added:
"We're proud to be advising Cubico on Scout Moor II, a nationally important renewable energy project that demonstrates the crucial role onshore wind plays in delivering the UK's clean energy ambitions.
“Working closely with Cubico and project stakeholders, our team has supported the preparation of a comprehensive FEI submission that reflects extensive consultation feedback and a careful consideration of environmental and community matters.
“The project represents an important opportunity to support the delivery of Clean Power 2030 and wider government ambitions for renewable energy generation."
Separate from the planning process, the updated proposals retain Cubico’s commitment to an enhanced and index-linked Community Wealth Fund based on £6,000 per MW of installed capacity, around 20% above the typical industry benchmark.
Subject to final turbine selection, this could provide around £400,000 each year for local projects and initiatives throughout the operational life of the wind farm.
A revenue-sharing mechanism has also been proposed, meaning local communities would share in the success of the project if the wind farm performed strongly over time.
The fund would be independently managed and shaped by local priorities, with the potential to support initiatives such as community facilities, environmental improvements, education, skills and local economic development.
Cubico appointed Groundwork in October 2025 to help refine the Community Wealth Fund proposals and work alongside residents and stakeholders across Rossendale and Rochdale to shape the future direction of the fund.
The applications are awaiting determination by Rossendale Borough Council and Rochdale Borough Council.
For more information about the project, please visit: www.scoutmoor2.co.uk
17 September 2026
