Calderdale Wind Farm: 14 problems that need solving before November

Military radar, aviation safety, weather forecasting, flooding, protected peat, rare birds, archaeology, noise, roads, and even questions over whether the public consultation itself was adequate. Calderdale Energy Park says it plans to submit its application next month – good luck with that….

It never rains but it pours. Especially on Walshaw Moor - as the developers behind the proposed wind farm development in Bronte Country are discovering. Last month we reported that Natural England described “insurmountable issues” with the controversial proposals. Issues with flood modelling also caught the attention of the Environment Agency.

And now the Ministry of Defence has been weighing in. Okay, it wasn’t Walshaw Moor, but a very similar development.

Over the weekend the BBC reported that the MOD has objected to another proposed Yorkshire wind farm, Hope Moor, between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale, warning that its turbines could cause “unacceptable interference” with military radar and create a “physical obstruction” for low-flying aircraft.

Sound familiar? That’s because similar concerns have already been raised.

According to Calderdale Council's statutory consultation response, the MOD has concerns over the proposed Walshaw Moor development because of what it describes as the “unacceptable impact” of the turbines on air-traffic-control radar at BAE Warton Aerodrome.

They are also worried about the impact on low flying aircraft. Anyone living around the Upper Valley is frequently treated to being buzzed while enjoying an afternoon coffee.

And that is just one item on what has become a very long list.