News

Turley advises Cubico on Scout Moor II Wind Farm as next round of public consultation is unveiled

Cubico Sustainable Investments has launched the next round of public consultation on Scout Moor II, a proposed onshore wind farm in Rossendale and Rochdale. We are providing expert Planning, EIA, Heritage and Townscape, Economics, Sustainability and ESG, and Design services to Cubico for the project.

Designed to generate up to 100MW of clean electricity, enough to power 100,000 homes annually, the project represents a major step toward the UK’s renewable energy ambitions while delivering meaningful environmental and community benefits.

Building on the initial consultation held in November 2024, Cubico has refined its proposals based on further environmental and technical assessments, as well as feedback from local residents, stakeholders and community groups. Now Cubico is inviting the public to help shape the final plans before submitting planning applications to Rossendale and Rochdale councils in summer 2025.

In addition to delivering affordable, homegrown renewable energy, Scout Moor II includes a comprehensive moorland restoration programme. This initiative will focus on restoring degraded peatlands, which play a crucial role in carbon storage, water management, and biodiversity. It will also include an Outdoor Access Management & Enhancement Strategy, produced by our Design team, which will set out measures to maintain safe access for pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians and other users of the moor during construction, as well as to improve long-term access through route improvements, wayfinding, heritage interpretation and support for a wider initiative to prevent existing issues of illegal off-roading.

Cubico is also committed to delivering long-term benefits through its Community Wealth Fund, which will see a multi-million pound investment into the local community over the project’s lifetime.

Speaking about the second round of consultation and wider project strategy, Associate Director, Thomas Lord, said:

“We are very pleased to continue to support Cubico on Scout Moor II as it moves into its second round of public consultation. Advising across several areas of our expertise, we are proud to shape this significant project that not only delivers renewable energy but also supports local economic growth, moorland restoration and outdoor public access. Scout Moor II is one of the first major commercial-scale onshore wind farms in England to progress following the lifting of the de facto ban and its development underscores the contributions our Net Zero Infrastructure offer makes in unlocking opportunities to support the UK’s journey towards clean energy.”

Speaking about the next phase of consultation and Cubico’s commitment to both sustainability and community impact, Peter Rowe, Development Manager at Cubico said:

“Scout Moor II is about more than just delivering clean energy. It’s about creating real, lasting benefits for both local residents and the environment. Alongside powering up to 100,000 homes, we are committed to restoring and protecting many hectares of degraded moorland, improving biodiversity, and creating long-term economic benefits. Our multi-million pound Community Wealth Fund will help support local jobs, invest in the area, and fund community projects – making sure that the people who live here see meaningful benefits from hosting this wind farm.”

The second round of consultation will run from Tuesday 25 March to Tuesday 29 April, featuring:

• Public exhibitions to showcase detailed plans, including visual representations of the wind farm, as well as an opportunity for residents to meet the project team. 
• Online webinars on key topics of interest where residents can hear from technical experts.
• Opportunities for feedback on the updated Community Benefit Charter, which outlines Cubico’s commitment to invest in the local area, engage with the community and create opportunities for local people and businesses.

For further details on consultation events and to submit feedback, visit www.scoutmoor2.co.uk

Learn more about our role at Scout Moor II and Turley’s wider expertise in Net Zero Infrastructure.

26 March 2025