| Client | Cubico Sustainable Investments |
|---|---|
| Turley office | Manchester |
| Status | Planning application submitted |
| LPA | Rossendale and Rochdale Borough Councils (cross boundary) |
Leading the way in onshore wind in England
Our role
- Commissioned as Planning and EIA leads in connection with an application for full planning permission for Scout Moor II, a 99.9MW onshore wind farm on moorland spanning the administrative boundaries of Rossendale and Rochdale in the South Pennines.
- Led pre-application negotiations with the local authorities and a range of statutory and non-statutory consultees, including Natural England, as well as supporting an extensive public consultation process.
- Managed EIA Scoping and inputted into the design iteration of the scheme, and are now leading on negotiation of the application as it proceeds through the determination process.
- Our Design team have co-ordinated the production of an Outdoor Access Enhancement & Management plan, setting out how public access will be maintained during construction, as well as detailing the measures which will be embedded within the scheme to enhance public access and recreation during operation.
- Our Heritage, Economics and Sustainability & ESG teams have also provided specialist inputs into the planning, EIA and design process.
Results
- The proposal is the first commercial scale onshore wind farm to be brought forward in England since the removal of the de-facto ban on onshore wind.
- The wind farm will comprise up to 17 turbines of 180m in height, alongside ancillary infrastructure, comprehensive peat moorland restoration strategy and a package of significant socio-economic benefits including a community wealth fund.
- If approved, the wind farm would generate enough clean electricity to power around 100,000 homes each year, equivalent to around 77% of all households in Rossendale and Rochdale combined
- The project marks a significant step in helping the country meet its climate goals, reduce reliance on imported energy and unlock the full potential of homegrown renewables.
Image credit to Virtual Planit