Revised Proposals for Calderdale Energy Park - Hebden Royd Wind Survey Results and More

Calderdale Energy Park proposals scaled back - Turbines cut to 34 but the fight goes on

It looks as though we are winning the battle against Calderdale Energy Park. The developers have scaled back their plans for the second time and appear to be on the defensive.

Their original proposal in September 2023 was for 65 turbines, reduced to 41 in April 2025. In response to widespread criticism and public opposition, the number of turbines has now been slashed to 34. No revised layout has yet been published, but it appears that several of the most insensitively-located turbines have been moved or withdrawn.

Read latest proposals for Calderdale Energy Park issued 3 Feb 2026

The timescale for the project has also slipped, suggesting that the developers are on the back foot. The Statutory Public Consultation previously scheduled for January has now been put back to April 2026.

The fight is far from over, though, as the latest proposals would still be incredibly damaging to the carbon-rich blanket peat bogs on Walshaw Moor SSSI and the endangered ground-nesting birds which breed on this internationally important Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA).

If Calderdale Energy Park goes ahead, even in a reduced form, it would still be an environmental disaster for the countryside, wildlife, cultural heritage and people of Calderdale and Bronte Country. So please keep actively resisting this damaging development - and spread the word to as many people as possible.

Read Our Objections to Calderdale Energy Park and support the multi-faceted Campaigns against it.

Results of Hebden Royd Town Council Survey - Resounding NO to Calderdale Energy Park

Thanks to everyone who responded to Hebden Royd Town Council’s Wind Farm Survey last October. The results have now been published and include responses from residents of Hebden Bridge as well as the surrounding Hilltop Parishes. As with Wadsworth Parish Council’s Survey last spring, a very high proportion of respondents were opposed to Calderdale Energy Park - 86% in total.

Read full details of Hebden Royd Survey

The primary concerns about Calderdale Energy Park’s proposals were:

- Disturbance and destruction of peat and associated carbon dioxide emissions (83%)

- That Walshaw Moor is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (81%)

- Impact on natural habitats and the biodiversity of the site (81%)

- Impact of water run-off and flood risk (75%)

- Visual impact on the landscape (38%)

The Town Council have accepted the conclusions and agreed to to act on them: “The response to this survey shows that a clear majority of respondents within Hebden Royd are opposed to the Calderdale Energy Park proposal. This provides Hebden Royd Town Council with a clear mandate in representing the views of the community on the topic.”

Natural England and the Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve - incompatible with Calderdale Energy Park

Last summer Natural England proudly announced the creation of the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve supported by King Charles. But the Penistone Hill section of the reserve directly adjoins the South Pennines SSSI close to the edge of Walshaw Moor, the site of the proposed Calderdale Energy Park.

As activist and blogger Nick MacKinnon from the Walshaw Turbines Research Group explains in a fascinating in-depth article published by Stop Calderdale Energy Park, the new NNR and would be seriously compromised and completely undermined by a huge wind farm on nearby Walshaw Moor.

“The launch of the King’s Pennine Gateway should be a cause of national and international rejoicing, but many people who know the facts believe that Calderdale Energy Park will slam shut the gate within a year,” says Nick MacKinnon. “The King’s Pennine Gateway NNR is a brilliant innovation and need not become a tiny annexe to a vast and destructive industrial complex. Should the developers attempt to gain consent, and destroy the raison d’etre of the King’s Gateway, the Secretary of State has a devastating armoury of reasons to reject Calderdale Energy Park.”

Hear Hear! Are you listening Natural England and Ed Miliband?

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are on our side

And finally, a big Thank You to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust for their continuing opposition to Calderdale Energy Park. It’s great to have them on our side in the campaign to Save Walshaw Moor.

As YWT point out: “The moor is part of the South Pennines Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation; designated for its irreplaceable blanket bog habitat and the rare and the fascinating species that call this rich and ancient peatland home. We are very concerned, closely following and responding to this development. Most of Yorkshire's uplands are protected for nature and their beauty, and any development on deep peat within designated sites sets an alarming precedent.”

Read more on the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust website