Plans for 21 new, large wind turbines at Scout Moor near Manchester spark local concerns over landscape and environment.
Scout Moor has twenty-six wind turbines already. “Scout Moor II” plans twenty-one more. These new turbines would be much larger and could power one hundred thousand homes; that’s ten percent of Manchester’s needs.
People near the hills know this story well. The first wind farm caused problems twenty years ago. Now, a new group fights the new project called “Say NO to Scout Moor 2.” This group worries about Cubico’s plans. They say towers will be higher than Blackpool Tower, and the valley would be changed greatly. They think the benefits would be small.
Alan Billingsley speaks for the group. He says locals worry more each day because the turbines would stand 180m high. He thinks they would ruin the landscape.
He continues that everyone wants a healthy planet. But he states this wind project won’t help since digging up peat could worsen emissions, and water and flooding risks are also possible.
He worries the turbines would affect farms and might scare away birds. People living nearby remember the past fight. The first wind farm faced similar issues. People worried about concrete damaging peat lands, and activists even got David Bellamy involved.
Despite efforts, the project began in 2007. This is the third try to expand there. One plan failed in 2011, and another smaller plan also failed later. Rules once blocked new onshore wind farms, but these rules changed.
Scout Moor II is the first big plan since then. Support for green power increased recently, but troubles from the past remain. Funding promised for local areas never came, so Cubico’s promises don’t reassure “Say NO.” They ask what will happen with the old turbines and if there will be money to dismantle them.
Future generations might face rotting turbine fields. Cubico says removing roads is impossible. Cubico says the wind farm could open by 2030 and may bring millions in investments. It could create hundreds of green jobs and they will consult with residents first. The talks will cover the size of the turbines.
Cubico shows an interactive map. Most turbines would stand on the moor’s east side, bringing Scout Moor to a total of 47 turbines. Next, authorities review the environmental effects. Cubico wants to hear from town leaders.
Cubico says they want open talks with people. They are improving plans after feedback and plan a second talk soon. The discussion includes moorland restoration plans. Cubico aims to balance green power with nature.
Their plans support cleaner energy goals, and protecting peatland is very vital to their purpose. They also plan a community wealth fund and say that locals can help shape the project. Cubico hopes this brings positive changes for all.