Wind farm consultation 'fell well short' - council

A consultation on plans to build a large wind farm on moorland associated with the Brontë sisters has fallen "well short of standard", Bradford Council has said.

Calderdale Energy Park (CEP) wants to install 34 turbines on Walshaw Moor, between Hebden Bridge and Haworth. Although the site lies within Calderdale, councillors said the impact on neighbouring Bradford would be "significant".

Developers say the scheme could generate enough low‑carbon electricity to power about 198,000 homes a year.

In its response to CEP the council said it had effectively been consulted "on an abstract concept rather than a transparent, scientifically robust infrastructure design".

The South Pennine moors and the Pennine Way are closely associated with writers Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë, who were raised at the Haworth parsonage, now a museum, in the 1840s.

CEP originally proposed up to 65 turbines on the land near Haworth, reducing the number to 41 in April 2025 and then to 34 in February 2026 after saying it had listened to residents' concerns.

The plans have faced opposition from campaigners, including Josh Fenton-Glynn, Labour MP for Calder Valley, who fear damage to peatland habitats and the loss of moorland used by bird species.

Bradford Council said it had not been adequately involved in the consultation, raising concerns about both environmental information and engagement.

It argued that key details remained unclear, including proposals for a cabling corridor that could pass through Bradford if the project goes ahead.

Councillors also criticised what they described as flaws in the assessment of the "globally significant" Brontë cultural landscape, warning of potential impacts on tourism, biodiversity and historic villages.

The authority added it had not been included in meetings or technical working groups linked to the environmental impact assessment.

CEP has previously said the turbines would not deter visitors to the moors.

A spokesperson said the company had followed all legal requirements and extended the consultation period to encourage engagement, adding it remained committed to "constructive and ongoing engagement" with the council and other stakeholders.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the firm said it had made "proactive efforts" to engage with Bradford Council and expected meetings to take place in the coming weeks.

It said more than 1,000 consultation responses had been received and were being reviewed.

The final decision on the application will be made by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

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