| Client | Cubico Sustainable Investments |
|---|---|
| Turley office | Manchester |
| Status | Pre-Application |
| LPA | Rossendale and Rochdale Borough Councils (cross boundary) |
Extending an existing wind farm of national significance
Our role
- Scout Moor Wind Farm is an operational wind farm of 26 turbines on moorland in the South Pennines. We are commissioned to lead Planning and EIA work in connection with a planning application to extend the wind farm by the construction of up to 18 additional turbines of 180m in height, with a capacity of up to 100MW.
- The proposal is the first commercial scale onshore wind farm to be brought forward in England since the removal of the de-facto ban on onshore wind. We previously advised Peel Energy in relation to a proposal for a 16no. turbine scheme which received approval from the local authorities but was refused by the Secretary of State following enactment of the de-facto ban on onshore wind.
- Our Design team are co-ordinating the production of an Outdoor Access and Recreation Strategy, setting out how the construction of the wind farm will protect public rights of way and measures which will be embedded within the scheme which will help to enhance public access and connectivity.
Results
- Our Planning and EIA teams have prepared a comprehensive consenting strategy for the proposal, setting out the process for securing approval for an application for full planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which is intended to be submitted in May 2025.
- We have been liaising with the technical and design team to define the constraints of the site and formulate the final layout design. Our Planning team have been leading pre-application engagement with the councils and supporting public and stakeholder consultation. Our EIA team are currently leading the preparation of an EIA Scoping report and our Heritage, Economics and Sustainability & ESG teams are contributing to the design and EIA process.
- The project is designed to generate up to 100MW of clean electricity, enough to power 100,000 homes annually. In addition to delivering affordable, homegrown renewable energy, Scout Moor II includes a comprehensive moorland restoration programme, supports local economic growth and enhances outdoor public access.
Image credit to Virtual Planit