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Backers of onshore wind farm in northern England have reduced array size to 41 turbines Calderdale Wind Farm Limited (CWFL) has unveiled a revised layout for the proposed 300MW Calderdale Energy Park project in northern England. The developer has revealed updated plans for a 41-turbine onshore wind array at the Walshaw Estate near Hebden Bridge in west Yorkshire, trimmed from the 65 units outlined in scoping plans filed in 2023. It has also dropped proposals for a co-located solar asset although is still considering the deployment of a battery energy storage system. A six-week non-statutory consultation round was launched this month ahead of a request for development consent to the UK government expected in early 2026. UK energy secretary Ed Miliband recently approved a request for the project to be assessed under the government’s Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) planning regime. Onshore wind farms in England are currently excluded from the NSIP process pending legislation later this year that will reintroduce schemes of above 100MW into the national permitting system. Calderdale is among the first wave of new English onshore wind farms to emerge since the government overturned a de facto ban on the technology last year. It would be located within a 2352-hectare moorland site predominately covered by blanket bog and peatland. There are three designated areas within the location associated with the South Pennine Moors and the area has strong historical and cultural links to the Bronte family. The developer said: “Onshore wind can be compatible with these designations, and we are undertaking further assessments to better understand the characteristics of the site in more detail and how Calderdale Energy Park will affect them.” It added it is “committed to respecting the local historical and cultural features throughout the planning and development process”. CWFL is a project vehicle majority owned by a Saudi Arabia-based investment company, according to Companies House records. A recently updated project website adds the wind farm is sponsored by NextGen Infra, a subsidiary of Al Gihaz Holding. |
