Calderdale Energy Park

A wind farm at this scale represents a Nationally Signficant Infrastructure Project and is proposed on an incredibly sensitive and protected landscape. 

Walshaw Moor has formal and legal protections for its irreplaceable blanket bog habitat and the rare and threatened species like merlin and golden plover that call this rich and ancient peatland home. 

It is part of the South Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation, South Pennine Moors Phase 2 Special Protection Area, and South Pennine Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest, which supports habitats and species of both international and national importance.

Areas of Walshaw Moor have peat that is three metres deep, locking up carbon taken in by plants up to 6,000 years ago. The peat mitigates climate change and flood risk preserving millennia of human and environmental history as well as being home to amazing wildlife.  

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s view on Calderdale Energy Park

We are very concerned about this development and will continue to respond to the consultations through the formal channels. 

Most of Yorkshire's uplands are protected for nature and their beauty, and any development on deep peat and within designated sites sets an alarming precedent. 

On 8th April Calderdale Wind Farm Limited opened the most recent round of consultation - the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust submitted its response. 

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust maintains a strong objection to the principle of the proposed development on Walshaw Moor. We believe,and our evidence shows that the proposals are poorly thought through. 

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The PEIR - we object to the principle of the proposed development 

• The development is inappropriate because of where it is proposed: blanket bog is an irreplaceable habitat in the National Planning Policy Framework – and there is no evidence the applicant has ruled out other locations as policy requires.
• The development is inappropriate because of where it is proposed: a protected site with key species - designated for merlin and golden plover and a breeding assemblage including curlew, dunlin, lapwing, snipe, and short-eared owl.
• Flood risk: the applicant has not yet proven that the development would not worsen flood risks in the settlements below.
• Other sites would better support net zero targets.

The PEIR and supporting evidence are also incomplete or inadequate. Our previous response highlighted missing or insufficient survey work, inadequate treatment of cumulative impacts, and questionable methodologies for hydrology and peat assessment; the same can be said for the PEIR.

This is precedent setting for future development on peatland.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and renewable energy 

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust supports the government’s target to reach net zero, recognising that climate change not only threatens biodiversity but poses much wider environmental, social and economic risks. 

We understand that transitioning to renewable energy is a critical part of this effort and fully support the move toward cleaner energy generation. However, it is essential that this transition does not result in avoidable, severe or long term harm to nature, and therefore individual renewable energy projects are located, designed and managed to minimise impacts on nature, protect important habitats and species, and contribute positively to nature’s recovery across Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust engage positively with the development of renewable energy to ensure a positive outcomes for nature. Our involvement in specific cases has already reduced impact on habitats and larger compensation areas for wildlife incorporated into the design, or acquired through funding. 

We are always keen to engage with developers for renewable energy schemes, as we acknowledge the urgent threat posed by climate change and support the UK’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.