In a move which will be keenly observed by campaigners against the Hope Moor Wind Farm, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) is submitting its 27 page response to the consultation on the developer’s Preliminary Environmental Information Report for Calderdale Energy Park.

In a press release today, YWT says it supports the government’s target to reach net zero, however it has significant concerns about the proposed wind farm on Walshaw Moor and the precedent it sets.

YWT Chief Executive, Rachael Bice, said:

“Renewables have a vital place in responding to the climate and biodiversity crises but must be carefully sited and designed, this nationally significant proposal does neither of these things. It also sets a dangerous and worrying precent for our most protected landscapes and communities living near them.

“Our engagement in the process so far is revealing a poorly thought through and technically inadequate proposal at both a local and national level. The developers have neither been robust nor transparent in their site selection and have provided insufficient evidence to suggest that they have properly considered any mitigation.”

Peatland and planning specialists at the Trust have scrutinised the proposals and assessed the impact they could have before submitting the response ahead of the consultation closing tomorrow (10^th June).

The plan for Calderdale

Calderdale Energy Park is proposing to build 34 wind turbines on Walshaw Moor, above Hebden Bridge in Calderdale, with permissions sought via the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Process.

This would be the largest windfarm in England in an area that is designated and highly protected as a Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation, Site of Special Scientific Interest, and on deep peat. Walshaw Moor is important for its moorland habitats, including irreplaceable blanket bog, and critically-endangered bird species such as merlin and golden plover.

Deep peat

The site has areas of significantly deep peat, home to many endangered and protected species, storing thousands of years of carbon. Peatlands also offer important flood defences by slowing water flow from the uplands, protecting communities downstream.

In addition to the turbines, there would be potential impacts from the supporting infrastructure. This includes the construction of access tracks substantial enough to transport turbine components to and across the moor, as well as the installation of cabling required to connect the turbines to the national grid. These impacts would be compounded by the effects associated with the construction process as a whole.

“We support the government’s target to reach net zero but not at the cost of avoidable, severe and long‑term harm to nature and habitat.” continued Rachael. “Individual renewable energy projects should be located, designed and managed to minimise impacts on nature, protect important habitats and species and benefit people. It’s possible for development to be approached differently and actively contribute to nature’s recovery across Yorkshire.”

Last year the Trust published Bringing Yorkshire’s Nature Back, a blueprint for achieving the international and UK government committed target of 30% of land protected for nature. This includes improving and restoring protected landscapes.

The stunning drone display from the team at Celestial prompted gasps of wonder when they reached the semi final of the TV programme Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) and earned them unanimous golden buzzer support from the judges.

So could that same technology be deployed to help people visualise wind turbines? That’s the question The Northern Eco posed to them!

As a reminder, the story we are trying to illuminate is the scale of the proposed turbines at the site on the North Yorkshire/County Durham border. The Norwegian company Fred. Olsen Renewables plans to build 23 turbines with each of them standing over 200 metres tall.

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I spoke with Celestial’s Head of Global Sales and Marketing, Ottilie Culloty to explore what could be possible and started by asking where the idea to use the technology for storytelling came from.

“It gets people to engage with a medium that is very different to looking down at your phone. It’s a shared experience, because it is outdoors, everyone is experiencing the same thing IRL (In Real Life) in the same moment.

And the team have certainly got the experience to take on a challenge like Hope Moor. They’ve put on displays at Glastonbury, for Greenpeace, at Hogmany and for the BBC where Celestial brought the story of the Titanic to life as part of the broadcaster’s Made of Here regional campaign.

I’ve long been interested in the potential of using drones in journalism. I first wrote about the topic back in 2015 (Drones in Media Bring New Perspectives, Global Investigative Journalism Network). But back then, the drones were carrying cameras and were all about taking imagery from above. Ten years on, that form of camerawork has become so commonplace that viewers just expect to see that type of footage in everything from drama to news.

But there is one common thread from those times - the language used and the rules which operators have to abide by. No person ever leaves the ground but there are pilots and they operate under Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules. Celestial is classified as having a private airfield because they house the largest fleet of drones in the UK.

“We are technically the largest airline in the UK, because we own the most amount of aircraft,” said Ottilie, “they are categorised in the aviation industry as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), so that’s why we have to have two pilots, very similar to flying. All the pre-flight checks are done in a similar way so there’s two that go through the whole process.”

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Can drones also help us tell an important chapter in the story of our region?

The proposed wind farm forms part of the National Infrastructure plan for the green energy shift. It is one of the defining stories of our time and having meaningful consultation with the local community is an essential part of the process.

It seems almost impossible to imagine what the plan will really look like and where you’ll be able to see the turbines locally. People just haven’t seen turbines of this height before and, while scale models and plans can help, seeing the structure in the landscape could really bring the proposal to life.

The AI generated mock up above is just to demonstrate the idea being suggested.

We put the idea to Cris Thacker, Communications Manager at Fred. Olsen Renewables. He said:

“We’d like to thank the Northern Eco for bringing forward this idea. While it’s not something we’ve tried before, innovation has been part of our DNA since we began constructing onshore wind farms in 1996, and we encourage ideas like this.

“We will produce and share visualisations once we have developed a final layout, and these will form an important part of the consultation process – ensuring our proposals are accurately represented. As our studies progress and we develop a clearer picture of the final design, we’ll revisit this idea alongside our usual industry best practice approach to assessing landscape and visual impact.”

Is it really possible?

The simple answer is Yes!

To have drones flying at that height would require special permission from the CAA for flights over 100m in height and to illuminate just one turbine image would take up to 1,000 drones in the air - that’s similar to the BGT display. A team of ten people, including two pilots, would be involved.

“I think it’s exciting. We don’t want to take one side of the debate or the other, but we do want to bring a vision for life, that’s what we’re all about. It’s bringing an idea to life, so that opinions can be formed on either side about it. It allows people to actually visualise something in real life,” said Ottilie.

On the logistics, the drones can fly in rain, the remoteness of the location is a challenge but not an unsolvable problem and in fact there’s just one obstacle that needs to be avoided. Ironically, it’s wind!

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• Having a drone display on Hope Moor would cost approximately £55,000. If you know someone with deep pockets who’d like to help, please do get in touch.

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The Duke of Norfolk has criticised plans to build a wind farm on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

Edward Fitzalan-Howard said the Hope Moor Wind Farm scheme would be a “blot on the landscape of one of the most beautiful and cherished parts of England”.

The country’s most senior non-royal duke, who organised the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III, said he was also concerned the green energy scheme would release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than it would save.

Fred. Olsen Renewables (FORL) is drawing up plans for 23 turbines up to 200 metres high on moorland between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale.

The company says the development could generate enough renewable energy to power around 135,000 homes and businesses.

But the Duke of Norfolk, who owns the neighbouring West Arkengarthdale estate, said he was “extremely concerned” about the plans.

He said: “This development will sit right on the edge of the Dales National Park and be visible for miles around both from within the park and alongside.

“It will be a blot on the landscape to one of the most beautiful and cherished parts of England enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors each year.”

Threat to birds

He added: “More importantly, it will also threaten many red-listed bird species of national concern and it will be built on peat moorland, releasing large amounts of carbon which has been stored in the ground for thousands of years.

“Taking into account the build program, deep foundations, access roads, electricity link up and most importantly the removal and restoration plans at the end of the life of the wind farm, I am concerned this scheme will release more carbon into the atmosphere than it will save.”

The duke said he urged FORL to “leave this precious site well alone” and instead focus on other locations which were far more suitable for development.

The peer has given his backing to the Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group, which was formed to fight the plans.

Suzy Wilson, spokesperson for the action group, thanked the duke for his support.

She said: “We wholeheartedly welcome the Duke of Norfolk’s emphatic support and endorsement of our environmental campaign to protect Barningham and Holgate and East Arkengarthdale moors.

“It comes as no surprise that we are aligned to save the natural heritage of this beautiful wildlife haven, which has been nurtured for centuries and is thriving.

“People of all backgrounds understand the significance of not disturbing this highly valued natural peatland resource that is a critical backbone to our country and for the climate and the planet.”

She added: “The proposal to build an industrial energy park of such an unprecedented scale on this inaccessible wildlife haven is simply the industrialisation of a precious landscape which cannot be justified under any circumstances.

“It is with much gratitude that we go forward alongside the Duke of Norfolk.”

Feedback wanted

In response, Euan Hutchison, UK development director for FORL, said the company welcomed feedback and encouraged anyone with an interest in the Hope Moor proposals to share their views.

He added: “Hope Moor is still at an early stage, and no final design has been set. We recognise the site’s sensitivities and will reflect these as plans develop.

“It has been selected through a rigorous process, and its strong, consistent wind speeds make it well suited to renewable energy – helping reduce emissions and strengthen energy security.

“Peat is a key consideration. Early surveys indicate that much of the site is relatively shallow, with over half comprising organic-rich soils rather than deep peat. Further work will help inform a design that avoids sensitive areas, minimises impacts, and creates opportunities for long-term peatland restoration.

“Overall, the carbon savings from a wind farm significantly outweigh construction emissions, particularly with careful design and effective peatland management. A detailed carbon balance assessment will be included in our application.”

• The developer’s remaining public consultation events will be held at Newsham Village Hall, Thursday, June 4, from 3pm to 8pm, and Reeth Memorial Hall on Saturday, June 6, from 10am to 3pm.

• More information is also available at hopemoor.co.uk

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Among the many factors to be considered by supporters and opponents of the Hope Moor Wind Farm, the condition and impact on the site’s peat is one of the most hotly discussed. None other that Rishi Sunak MP is on record for stating that its healthy peat is ‘a unique resource, locking up huge volumes of carbon and playing an increasingly important role in water management’.

So what is peat and what it this issue all about? Soil is typically a mixture of solid matter, water and air. The solid matter in ‘normal’ soil is mostly mineral, with a small amount of organic material. Peat however, is mostly organic matter, made from decomposing, water-logged plants such as mosses. Although accumulating very slowly (typically 1mm per year) peat can form a blanket several metres thick over underlying rock. Once it does, it becomes a very important store, both of carbon and of water. Damage and disturbance to this ‘blanket bog’ risks increased carbon emissions and increased flooding.

‘Functioning’ peat is defined as peatland that is still building this protective layer, and can be identified by a green, wet surface covering of peat-building plants.

Significant disturbance to deep, functioning peat risks undoing the environmental benefits wind farms can deliver, and alongside Rishi Sunak, some opponents to the wind farm have made much of the unique importance of Hope Moor’s peatland credentials.

So what do we know?

Sadly, much of England’s upland peat is considered to be in a degraded (that is, not really functioning) state. Across the country, there is some excellent peatland restoration work underway, but there is a long way to go. Before the wind farm project kicked off, there had been little systematic analysis of the Hope Moor site’s peatland, but the general impression was that much of it isn’t all that healthy.

We now have the results of the first proper survey of peat depth across the site, after the site was recently probed at 100m intervals. Peat depth is critical. It is directly relevant to the amount of carbon and water the peat can store, and if the peat is shallow, it is relatively easy to reach bedrock on which to fix a turbine’s foundations.

The survey found that just over half the site has a peat depth at or below 30cm, which is an internationally recognised minimum depth to define peat as a distinctive ecosystem. This is readily borne out by surface observations. Walking the site makes it obvious that deep peat is mostly concentrated in the western third. The really deep stuff (over 1.5m) accounts for less than 10% of the site’s total area. A 100m sampling distance means that a lot of fine detail could have been overlooked, skewing the findings, so it is expected that a 10m interval survey will follow in due course.

The current consultation documents also present a habitat survey which gives an initial indication of the quality of the peat based on surface flora. This information can be combined with depth information to build up a richer picture of the overall value of the site’s peat. The habitat survey is based on a respected, standardised classification system called UKHab. The survey identified about 30% of the overall site as blanket bog, including roughly 5% that is specifically identified as active, functioning blanket bog that is still making peat. Disturbance to this 5% would clearly be environmentally counter-productive, but what about the remaining 25%?

Deep but dry

Much of it looks like the photo below. Taken in early March this year (at the end of a wet winter) it shows an area crossed by extensive drainage channels removing the water that is required for peat formation and there is a glaring absence of the typical peat-forming plant species. So instead of being a carbon sink, this deep but dry peat area (and many acres like it) is just as likely to be a source of carbon emissions when the peat erodes away. A programme of peatland restoration in these deep peat areas could potentially make up for any disturbance caused by siting turbines in shallow peat locations nearby.

According to the UKHab classification assigned to the area shown in the photo, ‘all but the steepest slopes are permanently waterlogged’. Really? Take a look! There is clearly some way to go before the habitat survey can be fully relied on. For now, we don’t know enough.

Hopefully, this clarification will happen, as will the promised peat quality survey, which will take peat samples at regular intervals and measure their carbon content. Combined with a more detailed depth survey, and a firm commitment to real peatland restoration, the overall impact of the proposed wind farm on the Hope Moor site’s peat may eventually become clear.

Those people whose main concern is the peat will need to wait longer before the full picture emerges. It is conceivable that the wind farm project will eventually leave the peat in a better condition than it is now. This is of course no consolation to those who simply don’t want these massive structures erected on their doorstep.

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• Further reading is available at the Scoping Report submitted to the Secretary of State (PDF, 5MB).

• Opponents to the wind farm proposal can be contacted at this Facebook page.

• Public Consultation is open for this proposal and closes on 30 June 2026. The next sessions are:

  • Thursday 4 June 3-8pm at Newsham Village Hall, Smithy Green, Newsham, Richmond DL11 7RD

  • Saturday 6 June 10am-3pm at Reeth Memorial Hall, Arkengarthdale Road, Reeth, Richmond, DL11 6QT

  • A consultation webinar will also take place on Wednesday 10 June, 6pm, for anyone unable to attend an in person event. People can register via the project website, www.hopemoor.co.uk.

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As a reminder, the Norwegian company Fred. Olsen Renewables plans to build 23 turbines with each of them standing over 200 metres tall on moorland high on the North Yorkshire/County Durham border.

The 379 page scoping document (with additional tables and references) is certainly a weighty read and will take some time to fully comprehend but marks an important milestone in the progress of this proposal for national infrastructure.

It covers everything from the bird flights over the moorland to the visibility of the structures to the impact on aviation. Here’s just a tiny snapshot of the report’s contents:

• On visual impact: There is expected to be “potential for significant effects to special qualities” for the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Yorkshire Dales Dark Sky Reserve among others. Well-known visitor attractions including Bowes Museum and Raby Castle are also among those impacted.

• On Archaeology and Cultural Heritage: There is one designated asset within the site, a Cairn near the summit of a low ridge, and a further 61 non-designated assets. These assets are said to be “primarily related to the post-medieval industrial mining landscape of the 18th and 19th centuries, comprising mines, quarries and lead workings.”

• On Ornithology: Over the course of surveys completed, a total of 15 target species were recorded. These are summarised as follows, with the number of flights recorded over the survey period presented in brackets:

  • Curlew (16 flights)

  • Dunlin (1 flight)

  • Golden plover (67 flights)

  • Greylag goose (44 flights)

  • Hen harrier (13 flights)

  • Herring gull (14 flights)

  • Hobby (1 flight)

  • Lapwing (32 flights)

  • Marsh harrier (10 flights)

  • Merlin (15 flights)

  • Osprey (1 flight)

  • Peregrine falcon (19 flights)

  • Pink-footed goose (5 flights)

  • Red kite (97 flights)

  • Short-eared owl (4 flights)

There are also detailed reports on many other aspects including the road access, air quality, impact on climate change and more which deserve a detailed reading. Anyone with views on this proposal will find this report essential reading.

We’ll attempt to get to grips with many aspects of this important document over the coming weeks, starting with the ecology of the peat next week (see below).

A spokesperson for the Hope Moor Wind Farm action group said that campaigners would now be reading and reacting to the report but felt the cards were somewhat stacked against them in terms of timing:

“The Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment documents have now landed - 60 pages/422 pages/419 pages, so 900 + pages we are supposed to read, assimilate and comment on before the 30 June when the first consultation phase closes.

“The whole process works in favour of the developer who has been active on Barningham Moor for around two years whilst the unsuspecting public was only made aware of the project towards the end of October 2025.”

The group certainly has its work cut out. The Scoping Report gets into technical detail and can be something of an acronym salad but its purpose is vitally important as it provides the evidence needed to move to the next stage if accepted.

“It sets out an overview and description of the Project, together with an initial appraisal of the potential impacts arising during construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of the Project on the environment.”

This project is at the pre-application stage with the full application expected to be submitted in June 2027 and the Planning Inspectorate now has 28 days to decide whether to accept it for examination.

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• On Monday morning, we’ll bring you a special report from a locally based conservationist who has dug deeper on the findings of the peatland aspects of the site. Click here to bookmark that report.

• Further reading is available at the Scoping Report submitted to the Secretary of State (PDF, 5MB).

• Opponents to the wind farm proposal can be contacted at this Facebook page.

• Public Consultation is open for this proposal and closes on 30 June 2026. The next sessions are:

  • Thursday 4 June 3-8pm at Newsham Village Hall, Smithy Green, Newsham, Richmond DL11 7RD

  • Saturday 6 June 10am-3pm at Reeth Memorial Hall, Arkengarthdale Road, Reeth, Richmond, DL11 6QT

  • A consultation webinar will also take place on Wednesday 10 June, 6pm, for anyone unable to attend an in person event. People can register via the project website, www.hopemoor.co.uk.

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Welcome to this new section of The Northern Eco which is dedicated to coverage of the Hope Moor Wind Farm proposal.

That plan from Norwegian company Fred. Olsen Renewables is to to build 23 turbines with each of them standing over 200 metres tall on open moorland. The development is due to take many months and we will look at all aspects.

Let me start by setting out that we are not campaigning FOR or AGAINST the proposal. That is not our role. This website is all about access to independent journalism, free from influence of big business and vested interests. That is why we don’t take advertising and all our activity is funded by you, our readers, through subscription or donation.

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Why we’re doing this

The Hope Moor Wind Farm isn’t just another renewable energy development. The proposals for the site on the North Yorkshire/County Durham border have been declared as a piece of national infrastructure. This means the processes involved in the decision-making are entirely different from those we’re accustomed too - this is not a case of planning permission decided by local, elected politicians. That’s why you will need local journalism more than ever - we’ll present you with the facts, investigate under the bonnet of the process, cover local meetings and bring you the information in a straightforward way.

We also know that the traditional local journalism outlets where you might expect to find this sort of information are under enormous pressure with reduced staffing and discoverability challenges due to AI and digital search changes.

To help with that, we’re making all our coverage available to any other local outlets under a creative commons share and attribution licence. But we know that just making something available doesn’t necessarily mean stories get picked up. So we’re going one stage further. We will use our sister PR company’s systems to distribute coverage direct to the local newsdesks. We won’t get paid for this ( and there’s no publication guaranteed, of course). The days of local papers paying for stories are long gone so that is why we are asking for your help to fund this work. Doing journalism does cost money but we think this issue is so important we’ll take the unusual step to give our coverage away. We want to reach the most people possible with factual and reliable information. Can you help us?

The story so far

• Our video vox pop on the plans, below, has been viewed more than 10,000 times

• We already reach the inboxes of more than 1,300 subscribers who actively signed up for local eco news each week - and we’re still growing!

• Since November 2025, we’ve published eight articles about the proposed wind farm development to date

If you have a story lead, tip-off, or an aspect of this development that you’d like us to follow up - please do get in touch in confidence.

We already know there’s a huge demand for trustable, factual information about this development and sadly we’re also seeing misinformation on social media with ill-informed comment. You can rely on us to be rigorous in checking out what we publish and any ‘opinion’ pieces will be clearly labelled as such. In addition to the 30 years of experience I personally bring to this from the news industry, readers have the added reassurance that comes with us being regulated by Impress. Full details of how the regulation works and complaints procedure here.

How this new section works

Every time we publish an article about Hope Moor Wind Farm, it will appear in this section: https://thenortherneco.substack.com/s/hope-moor-wind-farm. If you already subscribe to The Northern Eco you can simply navigate to the section via the heading on the website.

If you use an RSS reader or bookmark websites to browse, then use this URL: https://thenortherneco.substack.com/s/hope-moor-wind-farm.

We will continue to cross reference articles from the new section into the wider, general email which goes into your inbox at 7am every Tuesday.

However, if news about Hope Moor is the only news you wish to receive (rather than getting all the news we publish on The Northern Eco), you can amend your subscription in the settings. The instructions on how to do that are here.

The Norwegian company Fred. Olsen Renewables plans to build around 20 turbines with each of them standing over 200 metres tall on moorland high above the town on the North Yorkshire/County Durham border.

Our vox pop quickly revealed just how unevenly word of the proposal has spread. While some residents were hearing about the development for the first time - surprise written on their faces - others were already familiar with the plans and had made their peace with them.

The Hope Moor Windfarm Action Group, however, have no intention of making their peace with it. They are working to ensure that as many people as possible understand what is genuinely at stake.

The room was packed, and the atmosphere was tense as the public meeting about the proposed development got underway on Tuesday (May 19th) in Barnard Castle. More than 200 people attended the gathering organised by the action group and listened to the speeches and demonstrations of the presenters.

The meeting was chaired by Durham County Councillor Chris Foote-Wood and accompanied by Councillors Richard Bell and Jillian Campbell in a cross-party show of strength.

To start, Chairman Foote-Wood spoke his mind with emotion declaring, “Stop this monstrosity!” before claiming the application to be the most damaging he’s ever seen in his 45 years of being a councillor.

Councillor Campbell continued: “The development would amount to the industrialisation of one of England’s last remaining wildernesses”, describing its loss as one not just for Durham but for the entire country. Her words set the tone, as countless facts and numbers showed presented to make a case for the impact the wind farm will have.

The turbines will have huge environmental, economic, and community impacts. The biggest among them is obviously the threat to the moorland itself - a landscape which includes deep peat bogs that represent some of the last of their kind in the country.

Carbon stores

These peatlands are far more than just wetlands; they act as vast natural carbon stores, and their destruction, speakers warned, could trigger far-reaching consequences: disrupted water tables, which can result in increased flood risk, and damage to the streams, springs, boreholes and private water sources that supply homes, farms and livestock across the area. The harm, they stressed, would be irreversible - both to the moor and to the wildlife that depends on it.

Beyond the environmental toll, the speakers pointed to the knock-on effects for the local economy. The Teesdale/North Yorks area draws visitors for its landscapes and walking routes, and several speakers argued that industrial turbines on the horizon – combined with disruption to public footpaths and open access land – would deter tourists and hit local businesses hard. Construction traffic alone, they warned, would place significant strain on the A66, one of the region’s most pressured roads.

Action group spokeswoman, Suzy Wilson, wanted to make sure people know how tall these turbines actually will be, since 200m is hard to grasp. “These towering structures would dominate views for miles around, overshadowing the natural beauty of the area.”

Words and diagrams can only do so much. To make the turbines’ scale truly tangible, the action group presented physical installations, made by sculptor Michael Kusz, to give a visceral reminder of just how dominant these structures would be on the moorland skyline.

When residents were given the floor, many questioned whether the community had any real power to influence the outcome, citing the consultation gap on the part of Fred Olsen Renewables. Alongside this ran more practical concerns - the burden on local roads and the effects for the local economy, as well as the impact on human health.

Consultations close on the 30th of June and will be restarted for the second phase at the end of the year. The campaign group is urging people to inform themselves and submit an objection before June 30th - or, as Chris Foote-Wood put it, to ‘stop this monstrosity’.

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In the quiet A66 village of Bowes, the door to the village hall was open with a ‘welcome’ sign outside.

Fred. Olsen Renewables (FORL) is inviting local residents to share their views on early proposals for Hope Moor Wind Farm and has arranged a series of these events.

The consultation events will run for eight weeks and are intended to give residents, businesses and other stakeholders the opportunity to find out more about the project and provide feedback that will help inform its development.

I went along to this one in on the same day as the campaigners’ held their public meeting in the evening to take a look at what people can expect if they take part.

It’s all very calm and well organised. A friendly chap on the door welcomes you and and hands over a lot of well produced literature.

It’s noticeably well-staffed with representatives everywhere you look on hand to answer questions but they are respectfully un-pushy and people can browse without engaging with anyone if they wish.

The large maps and literature available were interesting to see at a larger scale than via a computer screen and I was surprised to see the enormous radius of the visibility. Some of the 23 larger-than-normal turbines will be visible well into the North Yorkshire National Park, as well as Barnard Castle and A66 villages - the map below spells out where.

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I left the consultation hoping that more people will take the opportunity to visit these sessions before this phase of consultation closes on 30 June 2026. If you’re unable to attend a session, the information is all available on the project website: www.hopemoor.co.uk.

The consultation events are being held:

• Today (Wednesday 20 May) 3-8pm at Barningham Village Hall, Barningham, Richmond, DL11 7DW

• Thursday 21 May 3-8pm at Reeth Memorial Hall, Arkengarthdale Road, Reeth, Richmond, DL11 6QT

• Thursday 4 June 3-8pm at Newsham Village Hall, Smithy Green, Newsham, Richmond DL11 7RD

• Saturday 6 June 10am-3pm at Reeth Memorial Hall, Arkengarthdale Road, Reeth, Richmond, DL11 6QT

• There are also two drop in mornings on the following dates and locations:

  • Wednesday 20 May 9am-12pm in the Witham Room at The Witham, 3 Horse Market, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY

  • Friday 22 May 9am-12pm in The Townsend Suite at The Station, Station Yard, Richmond, DL10 4LD

  • A consultation webinar will also take place on Wednesday 10 June, 6pm, for anyone unable to attend an in person event. People can register via the project website.

Feedback can be sent to the project team in the following ways:

- Email: info@hopemoor.co.uk.

- Freepost: Write ‘Freepost Hope M’ on the front of the envelope and pop it in the postbox.

The developers say that, following the close of this first consultation, all feedback received will be carefully reviewed and used to help refine the proposals. A further stage of community consultation is planned for later in 2026, ahead of an anticipated submission of a Development Consent Order (DCO) application to the Planning Inspectorate in 2027.

Ahead of tomorrow’s (Tuesday) public meeting to discuss the plans for a major energy infrastructure development on the North Yorkshire/County Durham border we heard from people who will be living in its shadow.

We gathered opinions and assessed awareness about the development from the streets of Barnard Castle for the video above.

The Norwegian company Fred. Olsen Renewables plans to build around 20 turbines with each of them standing over 200 metres tall – that’s a height which can be compared to the size of The Gherkin in London and so are far larger than most turbines.

Walking the streets of the town, a pattern quickly emerged: shocked looks and the occasional flash of frustration. Most residents had heard nothing of a wind farm project that could fundamentally alter the view from their doorsteps. Reactions ranged from alarmed eyes to a shoulder shrug.

The development will be based on part of the 7,000 acre Barningham Estate, high above the town as well as the villages of Barningham and Newsham.

The government has already agreed to Fred. Olsen Renewables’ request that the wind farm near the Stang Forest, between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale, is treated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

As a piece of national infrastructure, the development envisaged has bigger turbines than any of those seen before meaning that their sheer size and scale is difficult to visualise.

The moorland supports around 130 bird species, among them the curlew and ring ousel, both on the UK’s red list of birds of conservation concern. Campaigners argue that the construction and turbines would cause lasting disturbance to the habitats across the site.

In addition to the public meeting organised by campaigners, a formal consultation period is open and the following drop-in sessions are being hosted by Fred. Olsen Renewables:

• Tuesday 19 May 3-8pm at Bowes and Gilmonby Village Hall, Bowes, Barnard Castle, DL12 9HU

• Wednesday 20 May 3-8pm at Barningham Village Hall, Barningham, Richmond, DL11 7DW

• Thursday 21 May 3-8pm at Reeth Memorial Hall, Arkengarthdale Road, Reeth, Richmond, DL11 6QT

• Thursday 4 June 3-8pm at Newsham Village Hall, Smithy Green, Newsham, Richmond DL11 7RD

• Saturday 6 June 10am-3pm at Reeth Memorial Hall, Arkengarthdale Road, Reeth, Richmond, DL11 6QT

Consultation closes on 30 June 2026.

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Developers looking to build a large wind farm on the County Durham and North Yorkshire border have today launched a series of consultation sessions.

Fred. Olsen Renewables (FORL) is inviting local residents to share their views on early proposals for Hope Moor Wind Farm, as the project launches its first stage of public consultation.

Open from today (Wednesday 6 May), consultation will run for eight weeks and give residents, businesses and other stakeholders the opportunity to find out more about the project and provide feedback that will help inform its development.

UK Development Director at FORL, Euan Hutchinson said: “Hope Moor Wind Farm is being developed with the local community very much in mind. This first stage of consultation is about listening to and understanding what matters to people locally and using that feedback to help shape our plans before we come back with a second stage of consultation later this year.

“We encourage people to take a look at the proposals at this stage and share their views. What you tell us will help inform how the project develops. We’re looking forward to meeting local residents, businesses and community groups over the coming weeks and hearing what you have to say.”

Action group meeting

Campaigners at the Hope Moor Wind Farm Action group are already fighting the plans which would see larger than usual turbines installed across a vast area of habitat for rare birds next to the North Yorkshire Dales National Park. The development would also require a significant amount of built infrastructure to support the power plant such as access roads.

The action group has separately arranged a public meeting from 7pm on Tuesday, May 19 at The Witham in Barnard Castle to raise awareness of the issues and plans.

The government has already agreed to FORL’s request that the proposed wind farm for moorland near the Stang Forest, between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale, is treated as a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP).

But to get final approval, the scheme would need a development consent order issued by the secretary of state after the plans had been reviewed by the national Planning Inspectorate.

A spokesperson for the Hope Moor Wind Farm Action group said they looked forward to welcoming as many people as possible at the public meeting.

“The proposal would turn this wildlife haven into a massive energy park on valuable peatland and these towering structures would dominate views for miles around overshadowing the natural beauty of the area and impacting detrimentally upon the two National Parks which border the site and the 24 species of birds red-listed and 36 amber-listed who make their home on these beautiful moorlands.

“Olsens have today launched their first consultation phase and we actively encourage anyone who might be impacted to actively engage and obtain as much information from Olsens on their detailed plans covering the highway access routes, grid connection, cable routes, ecology, wildlife and landscape impact and mitigation.”

Clean energy goals

In support of the plan, FORL say Hope Moor Wind Farm will generate clean energy, help the UK meet its climate goals and contribute to energy security. FORL’s early proposals are for 23 wind turbines, up to 200m to tip, which will generate over 150 MW of clean energy – enough to power around 135,000 homes and businesses.

FORL also aims to deliver meaningful benefits for local communities and businesses. The project is exploring opportunities to create a long‑lasting legacy, including a community benefit fund, skilled employment opportunities, habitat and peatland enhancements across the moors, and improved access to the site. They say that by working in partnership with local communities, landowners and farmers, Hope Moor will help sustain valued countryside traditions, such as drystone walling, while enabling people to better enjoy and understand the area’s historic landscape and natural environment.

The latest proposals are available to view on the project website at www.hopemoor.co.uk and people can meet the project team at a series of drop-in information events on the following dates and locations:

• Saturday 16 May 10am-3pm at Newsham Village Hall, Smithy Green, Newsham, Richmond. DL11 7RD

• Tuesday 19 May 3-8pm at Bowes and Gilmonby Village Hall, Bowes, Barnard Castle, DL12 9HU

• Wednesday 20 May 3-8pm at Barningham Village Hall, Barningham, Richmond, DL11 7DW

• Thursday 21 May 3-8pm at Reeth Memorial Hall, Arkengarthdale Road, Reeth, Richmond, DL11 6QT

• Thursday 4 June 3-8pm at Newsham Village Hall, Smithy Green, Newsham, Richmond DL11 7RD

• Saturday 6 June 10am-3pm at Reeth Memorial Hall, Arkengarthdale Road, Reeth, Richmond, DL11 6QT

• There are also two drop in mornings on the following dates and locations:

  • Wednesday 20 May 9am-12pm in the Witham Room at The Witham, 3 Horse Market, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY

  • Friday 22 May 9am-12pm in The Townsend Suite at The Station, Station Yard, Richmond, DL10 4LD

  • A consultation webinar will also take place on Wednesday 10 June, 6pm, for anyone unable to attend an in person event. People can register via the project website.

Feedback can be sent to the project team in the following ways:

- Email: info@hopemoor.co.uk.

- Freepost: Write ‘Freepost Hope M’ on the front of the envelope and pop it in the postbox.

- Project website: www.hopemoor.co.uk.

Consultation closes on 30 June 2026.

The developers say that, following the close of this first consultation, all feedback received will be carefully reviewed and used to help refine the proposals. A further stage of community consultation is planned for later in 2026, ahead of an anticipated submission of a Development Consent Order (DCO) application to the Planning Inspectorate in 2027.

After a weekend of walking action, Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group has announced its next public meeting to raise awareness about the proposed wind farm development.

The meeting will be held from 7pm on Tuesday, May 19 at The Witham in Barnard Castle.

The meeting comes after the group held its first walking event across Barningham & Holgate Moor on Saturday to celebrate World Curlew Day & World Earth Day.

Visitors were able to see the proposed site for the 20 x 200 metre high wind turbines proposed by Fred. Olsen Renewables.

A spokeswoman said: “The walk had two routes, two miles or eight miles, to the trig point at How Tallon, 447 meters above sea level. A 200m turbine located here, would reach a total height of 647 meters (2122 feet) which is above the height of classification for a mountain in England.

“From here, the walking group had clear 360 degree views from where the wind turbines could be sited. The highest point on the site is Cocker Hill, at 475 meters. Very quickly, the group grasped the enormity of the severe impact these turbines would have on the natural , unspoilt character on the Yorkshire Dales and The North Pennines landscape.”

The government has agreed to Fred. Olsen Renewables’ request that Hope Moor Wind Farm, proposed for the moorland near the Stang Forest, between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale, is treated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

As a piece of national infrastructure, the development envisaged for the remote moor on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales has bigger turbines than any of those seen before meaning that their sheer size and scale is difficult to visualise.

“Many of the walkers have for years lived in the surrounding communities but have not visited this high aspect of the moorland,” said the spokeswoman. “They were consumed by the peace and quiet, the wild nature, and of course the nesting curlews, lapwings, and oystercatchers with appearances from the red grouse, black grouse, and pied wagtails, and many other small birds. They trod on the soft moorland sphagnum moss in abundance, surrounding the Bronze Age round barrow and stone circle at How Tallon.

“All the walkers came away fully understanding why this place is so special, after centuries spent encouraging wildlife, rare sensitive species, and peat formation, to thrive and feel safe.”

The developers say the scheme would generate more than 100MW of clean energy - enough to power 81,000 homes and businesses and they are currently carrying out surveys on the site.

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Some personal thoughts

That was the joke a colleague made as we shared out binoculars for our group excursion to the proposed site last week. The small team here at The Northern Eco set off to the trig point and almost instantly witnessed curlew, black grouse, weasel, hares and lapwing.

I also took note of the special sense of quiet that the place reveals gently as we gazed down to Barnard Castle, over to the Lake District and even as far as the east coast - we were able to soak up the incredible panorama.

As we go forward, I already know that reporting on the plans for this remote and wild place isn’t going to be a straightforward assignment. This is one of the most complex stories we’ve tackled to date. It has everything - big money, wealthy landowners, big government, proximity to the national park, protected bird species, carbon sinks and let’s not forget the impacted local communities dealing with this.

As an environmental newsletter, we do, of course, welcome the shift to renewable energy. More than welcome it. The power shift is essential and the case for it grows stronger with every day.

But there’s also an urgent need to protect wildlife, peat bogs, nature, dark skies and remote rare spaces. After all, unlike built environments, these natural assets are irreplaceable.

But these should not be binary choices and so there we have the challenge before us. How can we find a way to have both things - renewables and nature? Just how do we ensure the decision makers are not the ones looking down the wrong end of the binoculars?

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At the recent public meeting into proposals for a wind farm involving giant turbines on remote moorland bordering the Yorkshire Dales National Park, residents were left with many questions unanswered.

The government has agreed to Fred. Olsen Renewables’ request that Hope Moor Wind Farm, proposed for moorland near the Stang Forest, between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale, is treated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

This means that, as a piece of national infrastructure, the development envisaged for the remote moor on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales gives limited opportunities for local residents to be involved. The final decision will be made many miles away by the Secretary of State.

Following the meeting, I took the main points direct to the Norwegian company developing the plans and you can can read their full replies below. But first the company’s Senior Project Manager Kelly Wyness, gave the following overview:

“We’re at an early stage in developing our proposals for Hope Moor Wind Farm. From the outset, we’ve been conscious of its sensitivities and as with our projects in Scotland, Hope Moor would deliver new renewable power, support local jobs and skills, and provide funding for moorland and environmental stewardship, cultural heritage and local communities.

“Community engagement is central to how we develop our projects, and we want to involve people early and meaningfully. As we move forward, we’ll be actively engaging with local stakeholders and residents to listen to views and understand priorities. In the spring, we’ll share our early plans as part of a first stage of public consultation, giving people the opportunity to see the proposals, ask questions, and help shape how Hope Moor can deliver for the community.”

Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group campaigner Suzi Wilson said the community engagement mentioned above was sorely lacking with many people in the area still unaware of the plans.

“One thing that has happened since the public meeting is that people feel they can talk about this. There’s this feeling that you can’t speak against renewables but this isn’t simply a community wind project, it’s industrialisation on a major scale.

“No-one from the company has contacted me or any of the residents, there’s not even been notices locally about what is planned. This will totally change the area and impact the sensitive wildlife that is here for the quiet and the dark.”

As we’ve reported previously, around 20 wind turbines each 200m-high are being proposed for the moorland.

Access tracks, concrete foundations, a substation, transformers and underground electrical cabling also proposed, along with environmental and ecological mitigation work.

Question and Answer with Fred.Olsen

Q. What mitigations would be taken to protect wildlife?

A. Protecting wildlife is central to the Hope Moor project. We know the site supports ground‑nesting birds and we’re carrying out detailed surveys to fully understand the ecology. Our aim is to combine clean energy generation with long‑term habitat management, investing in traditional moorland practices so the site continues to support wildlife well into the future.

Q. How will construction be carried out with respect to the peat bogs?

A. The opportunity for us to undertake proactive peat management has been a priority from the outset. Early studies show peat conditions vary across the moor. Our site design will seek to avoid deeper and higher‑quality peat wherever possible. During construction we’ll follow established best practice and in the operational phase we will further support the peat and other habitat restoration work already being carried out by the landowner for the life of the wind farm.

Q. Where and how will the wind farm connect to the National Grid?

A. Changes in the grid connection systems across the UK mean that this will not be known until later in the process. We will however share information on this as this becomes clearer.

Q. Why was this site chosen?

A. Hope Moor’s location and elevation make it one of the best sites anywhere in the UK for wind generation, but it also offers an opportunity to invest in the local community, the landscape and wildlife – as we have done on our sites in Scotland.

A packed village hall public meeting saw residents from Newsham, surrounding villages and further flung locations galvanise for action against a massive wind farm plan.

The government has agreed to Fred. Olsen Renewables’ request that Hope Moor Wind Farm, proposed for moorland near the Stang Forest, between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale, is treated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

As a piece of national infrastructure, the development envisaged for the remote moor on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales has bigger turbines than any of those seen locally before - a point powerfully brought to life by local sculptor Michael Kusz.

His scale model of the turbines* was unveiled from behind the village stage’s curtains in a moment of theatre which started the discussion involving local councillors and which was also attended by MP Rishi Sunak’s agent.

In an unusual sign of unity, councillors from both North Yorkshire Council and Durham County Council (Angus Thompson and Richard Bell respectively) spoke against the plan while both acknowledged that the decision on this development actually lies far from the moorland - with the Secretary of State.

It will now be down to the campaign group to raise awareness and fight the plans. This action took a step forward last night with hundreds of signatures collected for a letter calling for the plan to be halted.

The letter states the following six reasons that the plan should be cancelled and is being sent to Secretary of State Ed Milliband, Mr Sunak, Sam Rushworth MP and the planning officers at both Durham and North Yorkshire councils:

1. No need for development in the wildlife haven

2. Similar applications in the past were refused

3. The site sits on the boundary of Yorkshire Dales National Park and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

4. Development would impact carbon stored in the deep peatland, water courses and wildlife

5. The 24 species of bird on the Red conservation list and 34 species on the Yellow list need protection

6. Important heritage sites including Bowes Museum, Eggleston Abbey, Barnard Castle and Bowes Castle will be impacted

As we’ve reported previously, around 20 wind turbines each 200m-high are being proposed for the moorland.

Access tracks, concrete foundations, a substation, transformers and underground electrical cabling also proposed, along with environmental and ecological mitigation work.

The developer says the scheme would generate more than 100MW of clean energy — enough to power 81,000 homes and businesses.

Much of last night’s discussion centred on the unknown elements of the proposal which include:

• What mitigations would be taken to protect wildlife?

• How will the construction be carried out with respect to the important peat bogs?

• Where will the wind farm connect to the National Grid? (location of sub station)

• How will the Wind Farm connect to the national grid (overhead, underground)

• Why was this site chosen?

We have put these points to Fred. Olsen Renewables and will update this article if/when we get a response.

Previously the company has said it works with, and has invested in, neighbouring communities to its projects since the 1990s and will continue to do so.

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* The Guardian has done a great graphic to illustrate the size of the turbines which you can see at this article by Patrick Barkham.

Residents have formed a campaign group to fight the “inappropriate industrialisation” which they claim would be caused by a large wind farm planned for moorland on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group was launched in response to Fred. Olsen Renewables’ proposal to build around 20 200m high turbines, plus associated infrastructure, near the Stang Forest, between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale.

The group said its aim was to “save the wildlife corridor and protect the skyline” from the green energy development.

Members of the action group claim the wind farm would be visible from 120km, from as far away as West Yorkshire, Teesside, Tyneside and the Lake District.

Home to protected birds

They say the development would damage a cherished landscape which is home to numerous rare and protected birds, including ring ouzel, black grouse, curlews, hen harriers and merlin.

As well as archaeological monuments on the moorland, the group says the peatland is vital for storing carbon and helping achieve the country’s climate change goals.

The action group was launched last month and now has more than 400 members on social media.

Suzy Wilson, spokesperson for the group, said: “While the group supports renewable energy as a vital tool in combating climate change, it strongly opposes developments that cause irreversible damage to ecologically sensitive habitats, peatlands and ancient woodlands.

“The proposed site is thriving and forms a critical wildlife haven essential for biodiversity.

“Planning for the site has been ongoing for over a year but there was a clear lack of engagement regarding the proposals. Local communities became aware of the proposals by chance.

“We want everyone to be aware both locally and nationally. We feel very strongly that the public voice should and must be heard.”

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The group said it was “ironic” that an application in 2015 for a single 36.6m wind turbine near Newsham was opposed by members of the Millbank family, which through the Barningham and Holgate Estates owns some of the moorland now earmarked for the Hope Moor project, on the grounds that it would be “inappropriate” and “an eyesore”.

“This application was for one turbine one one-fifth the height of the planned 20 turbines,” added Mrs Wilson.

A previous wind farm application submitted in the 1990s for 25 wind turbines, later amended to 12 turbines, was eventually rejected at the High Court amid fierce opposition from local residents.

Kelly Wyness, senior project manager for Hope Moor Wind Farm, said the company would share more information on the project when the public consultation for the scheme opened in early 2026.

He added: “We recognise the importance and value of fully engaging with communities, but we want to ensure that everyone has all the necessary information available to determine their opinion.

“Listening to and learning from local people is central to our approach. As a family-run business, this is entrenched in everything we do.

“Our decades-long commitment and track record of working with communities demonstrates this – we work to understand the local context and shape investment opportunities that reflect local priorities.

“We are excited to hear how our plans can support the environment and communities when consultation begins next spring.”

The Milbank family declined to comment.

For more details on the action group, find them on Facebook here or email contact@hopemooraction.org.uk.

​The company behind plans for a large wind farm on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales says the public will still be consulted on the scheme despite a government minister rather than local councillors making a final decision.

The government has agreed to Fred. Olsen Renewables’s request that Hope Moor Wind Farm, proposed for moorland near the Stang Forest, between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale, is treated as a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP).

To get approval, the scheme would need a development consent order issued by the secretary of state after the plans had been reviewed by the national Planning Inspectorate.

Kelly Wyness, senior project manager for Hope Moor Wind Farm at Fred. Olsen Renewables, said: “Hope Moor Wind Farm is an opportunity to boost energy security, cut bills, and protect heritage and the environment.

“Fred. Olsen Renewables has worked with and invested in neighbouring communities since the 1990s, and the NSIP process gives us a clear consultation framework to continue that.”

Drop-in sessions are taking place for invited guests to find out more about the plans this week at Reeth Memorial Hall, Barningham Village Hall and Bowes and Gilmonby Village Hall.

Around 20 wind turbines each 200m-high are being proposed for the moorland.

Access tracks, concrete foundations, a substation, transformers and underground electrical cabling also proposed, along with environmental and ecological mitigation work.

The developer says the scheme would generate more than 100MW of clean energy — enough to power 81,000 homes and businesses.

Mr Wyness said the company applied for a Section 35 direction, for the scheme to be designated a NSIP, partly because the site spans both North Yorkshire and County Durham council areas and a single application “ensures transparency and allows both councils and their communities to have their say”.

He added: “We’ll follow the NSIP process through, with community consultation on our emerging proposals starting early next year.”

“Next week’s drop-in events are the first step – an opportunity to meet community groups and political representatives and discuss how we’ll engage and consult.

“For now, we encourage anyone interested to visit our website for the latest updates and ways to stay involved.”

For more information on the plans, visit www.hopemoor.co.uk.