Scout Moor Wind Farm Expansion Limited (SMWFEL) is to remove and relocate some of its planned new turbines as a result of local community feedback.
The joint venture company between Peel Energy and United Utilities has altered its plans in response to comments and concerns made by local people and community groups at the public consultation events and exhibitions it held over the summer.
The changes include:
- Reducing the planned number of new turbines from 26 to 16 by removing those originally sited in the northwest and northeast of the existing wind farm site.
- Increasing the distance between the proposed new turbines and important recreational routes including the Mary Townley Loop.
- Ensuring the new turbines will be sited so that they don't disturb areas of deep peat on the moor.
The changes will reduce the generating capacity of the expanded wind farm to less than 50MW which means the project is no longer a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. SMWFEL therefore intends to submit a joint planning application for its revised plans to Rochdale and Rossendale Borough Councils early next year.
Jon England of Peel Energy commented:
“Thank you to everyone who took the time and trouble to comment on our plans to expand Scout Moor Wind during our consultations in July and August 2014. We received some really useful feedback and have changed our expansion plans in response. We're now seeking feedback on our new proposals prior to submitting our planning application to Rochdale and Rossendale Borough Councils early next year.”
The Scout Moor Wind Farm is situated on open moorland between Edenfield, Rawtenstall and Rochdale, north of Greater Manchester. It became operational in 2008 and has the capacity to produce enough electricity for the average annual needs of approximately 40,000 homes throughout its 25-year lifespan. It consists of 26 Nordex N80 2.5MW turbines providing a total installed capacity of 65MW.
The existing wind farm is owned by MEAG, part of MunichRe.
The joint venture company set up by Peel Energy and United Utilities Plc is called Scout Moor Wind Farm Expansion Ltd. Scout Moor Wind Farm Expansion is not related to any other wind farm developments proposed for the area, including the neighbouring Rooley Moor Wind Farm scheme.
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