A fierce battle has erupted over plans for one of England's tallest wind farms, proposed for deep peat moorland overlooking the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The 100MW Hope Moor project, developed by Norwegian company Fred. Olsen Renewables, would feature 20 turbines with blade tips reaching 200 metres – as high as Manchester's tallest skyscraper. Locals argue it would irreversibly industrialise their rural landscape.
The Duke of Norfolk has condemned the scheme as a blot on the Dales, joining residents who question the logic of damaging carbon-rich peat with concrete bases and access roads in the name of reducing emissions. 'It's a complete joke,' said Simon Thompson, a local caravan park owner. 'The fact they are digging up peat to save carbon emissions is ridiculous.'
Artist Michael Kusz, who built a scale model of the turbines, said he was 'absolutely horrified' by the proposal. He described the area as one of the few places in Britain where one can connect with the natural world. The moorland, though outside the national park, is designated as blanket bog – a priority conservation habitat – with extensive deep peat.
The project is part of the Labour government's push to generate 95% of electricity from low-carbon sources by 2030. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband recently announced contracts for 157 new solar farms and 28 onshore wind farms. However, a similar application on the same moor was rejected in 1999, with a judge ruling it would 'seriously harm' the area's special character.
In the village of Barningham, residents have rallied around a coffee table book celebrating the moor's wildlife, including curlew, black grouse, and hen harriers. The book was published in tribute to Sir Anthony Milbank, whose son Sir Edward is one of two landowners set to profit from the wind farm. 'We live here because of this – it's priceless,' said resident Suzy Wilson.
