Hebden Bridge Web

Friday 24 May 2024

Thanks to the Hebden Bridge Literary & Scientific Society and the Pennine Heritage Trust for the following info:

The developers, Calderdale Wind Farm Ltd, are proposing to build one of the largest onshore wind farms in England on a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area for upland birds.

Locally based author and broadcaster Horatio Clare provided an impassioned overview of the potential destruction of an internationally recognised wildlife-rich peat moorland, beloved of walkers, artists and visitors.

Nina Smith, local walker and campaigner explained the impact on threatened bird species which thrive in the area.

Dr Steve Ely, Director of the Ted Hughes Network at the University of Huddersfield, explored the landscapes which inspired Ted Hughes and would be transformed, and in some cases, destroyed by the turbines.

Carl Lawrence, Emeritus Professor of Engineering at Leeds University explained the construction challenge of creating the wind farm, and how this would irreparably industrialise the peat moorland. He highlighted that damaging and removing the peat bogs would impact significantly on this vital storage of significant quantities of carbon and water. His presentation, Wind Farms on Peat: The Green Debate is available at www.stopcalderdalewindfarm.co.uk, along with other material from the event.

The presentations attracted a large number of questions from those attending. As well as raising awareness of the potential impact, the event provided an opportunity to register support for the community-led Stop Calderdale Wind Farm.

Intended to raise public awareness, this fact-finding event was organised jointly by Hebden Bridge Literary & Scientific Society and the Pennine Heritage Trust in association with Stop Calderdale Wind Farm campaign.

Mike Tull, President of the Hebden Bridge Literary & Scientific Society and Chair of the Pennine Heritage Trust said, "These plans, if taken forward, will fundamentally change the nature of the Calder Valley and the surrounding area. We felt it was important to provide a forum where the facts could be laid out and discussed, enabling people to make up their minds about the scheme."