Go-ahead for Scout Moor Wind Farm expansion

PLANS to expand Scout Moor Wind Farm in Lancashire have been approved by Rossendale Borough Council.

The development by Scout Moor Wind Farm Expansion Ltd will see an additional 14 turbines installed alongside the existing 26 to make it ultimately the largest on-shore wind farm in England.

Also included in the planning application was the restoration and management of more than 2,224 acres of badly degraded peat moorland during the operational lifetime of the development

The scheme has been the subject of extensive public consultation since 2011 and will generate renewable energy to meet the annual needs of up to 22,000 homes.

A Community Benefit Fund of up to £200,000 per annum or £5m over the lifetime of the project will be made available for community projects.

Members of the community will also have the opportunity to own shares in the project through a Community Cooperative scheme.

SML is a joint venture between Peel Energy and United Utilities.

Peel Energy development director Jonathon England said: “We are delighted that members have chosen to follow Officers’ recommendation and to support the scheme. It’s the culmination of many years hard work.”
 
Mark Worcester, Director at Turley who led the planning application said: “We went to great lengths in providing opportunities for the local community and other stakeholders to influence the proposals and shows what can be achieved through genuine collaboration.”

Turley also coordinated the preparation of the Environmental Statement and led the engagement on the scheme.

The application will now be referred to the National Planning Case Work Unit for consideration as to whether it should be called in for determination by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clarke.

A separate application by SML for two turbines in Rochdale will be determined at a planning committee later this month.
 
This decision follows another wind farm extension which Turley secured full planning permission for, at Hyndburn, Lancashire in August.