An application for 54m-high turbines on the same moorland was rejected in the high court in 1999 when the judge supported the planning inspector who concluded that the “special character” of this area of “high landscape value” would “be seriously harmed”.
But to speed up renewable projects, schemes such as 100MW Hope Moor are designated a “nationally significant infrastructure project” (NSIP), meaning that the planning decision is not made by local councils but by the national Planning Inspectorate – with Miliband having the final say.
While onshore turbines once reached 100m in height, newer more efficient turbines currently in planning are closer to 200m. “Turbines of this scale are becoming increasingly typical for new schemes and it is unlikely that the proposed turbines would be among the tallest onshore turbines by the time they are constructed,” said a Hope Moor windfarm spokesperson.
Locals Chris Thurgar-Dawson and Christine Gonsalves are both Labour voters. “It’s easy to say: ‘It’s green, full-stop’. We’re not against green energy and our friends who are Tory supporters agree with green energy, but when we heard about the scale of it – it’s off the scale,” said Gonsalves. “It’s the scale and where it’s being built that’s the problem.”
According to Hope Moor, the turbines will deliver £500,000 to the local community each year for 30 years.
“It’s as if everybody is motivated by money,” said Gonsalves. “The people who live here aren’t necessarily motivated by money. They are motivated by nature and the countryside.”
Opponents of the scheme, who have formed an action group and plan to tour their region with the model turbine, insist they are not nimbys. “Of all the people we’ve spoken to, only one has mentioned the impact on house prices,” said Tim Wilson.
Instead, local concerns include the new access roads required, the pylon and cable routes to connect into the grid, the impact on “pristine” water supplies, and noise and flicker from the turbines.
Local Steve Myers, an academic researcher, has conducted a sightlines analysis that concludes the turbines will be widely visible from the Yorkshire Dales and even the Lake District in clear weather. Hope Moor said: “These factors will be assessed comprehensively through a detailed, robust, evidence‑led environmental impact assessment (EIA), which will be presented at future stages of public consultation, alongside how potential impacts will be minimised.”
But Myers also fears the “scoping” – deciding what will be examined by the environmental impact assessment – will be determined before the community can give its view.
“We will hold two stages of public consultation later this year to gather local views and feedback, which will help shape the project and inform the environmental assessments,” said the Hope Moor spokesperson, who pointed out that scoping is administered by the Planning Inspectorate, not the developer. “There will be many opportunities for the public to have their say on their proposals and nothing at this point in the project is fixed.”
Kelly Wyness, senior project manager for Hope Moor, added: “Hope Moor windfarm is a proposal to strengthen energy security by delivering home‑grown renewable power. It will provide long‑term investment in the land and the traditional practices that have shaped this landscape for generations.
“At a time when rural skills and land‑management traditions are under increasing pressure, the project offers a modern, balanced approach – combining renewable energy generation with the active stewardship of the moors. Alongside clean energy, Hope Moor aims to support established farming and moorland management practices, sustain traditional skills, and enhance habitat restoration.”
For locals, the prospect looming over their working landscape is already spoiling their enjoyment of it. Simon Thompson said he used to walk on the moors to clear his head but hasn’t done so since the windfarm was proposed. “I’ve been walking up there for years, among the buzzards and hares. But my mind is no longer clear when I go up there, it’s just focused on this all the time.”
