Campaigners criticise climate action group for backing wind farm scheme

Campaigners have hit out at green activists for backing the wind farm scheme planned for Scout Moor.

Campaigners have hit out at green activists for backing the wind farm scheme planned for Scout Moor. The plan to build 17 wind turbines on the moorlands between Rochdale and Rawtenstall has been divisive ever since ‘Scout Moor II’ was mooted in 2024.

These new renewable energy generators would be up to 180m tall and far more powerful than the 26 turbines already on Scout Moor, potentially making it the largest onshore wind farm in England. The new wind farm would be capable of generating 100MW of clean electricity, powering around 100,000 homes per year, according to developer Cubico Sustainable Investments.

Pete Abel, from Manchester Friends of the Earth, said: “We understand that there are different views around proposals for the Scout Moor II wind farm. Like other local groups, Manchester Friends of the Earth has responded to the consultation on the scheme and we’re waiting to hear from both councils about their decision.

“Harnessing the power of homegrown renewables is key to bringing down our bills, boosting the economy, improving the UK’s energy security and creating green jobs. Clearly that needs to be balanced with the environmental impacts of such developments. 

“While the site doesn’t include landscapes with statutory protections such as National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we understand there are strong feelings around the changes locally and we share concerns about the loss of peat and blanket bog habitats.

“Ultimately, Friends of the Earth isn’t the decision-maker here. We’ve offered our views based on our long-term campaigning and policy work to ensure planning decisions carefully consider progress on climate, alongside community and wider environmental impacts.”

Wind turbines on the moorlands is nothing new, but the latest plans have been fervently opposed by community groups Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum (RMNF) and Say NO To Scout Moor 2 (SN2SM2).

Campaigners fear these new turbines – up to 180m including blade tip height – would be larger than Blackpool Tower and dominate the skyline. In addition to their objection to how the turbines would look, the community groups’ biggest concern is the destruction of the peatland during the construction of the turbines.

Creating space for the massive turbine bases would require digging up areas of deep peat and blanket bog – an important natural carbon store. It is for environmental reasons they have criticised Manchester Friends of the Earth, a climate action group, for supporting the scheme.

Ripping up or disturbing peat causes the release of significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, something climate action groups are trying to avoid. But Manchester Friends of the Earth believes that green energy infrastructure is needed to bring down costly bills, and boost the economy through the growth of jobs and investment in the sector.

Mr Abel also pointed out how the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit (GMEU0, Environment Agency or Natural England haven’t raised any overall objections to the proposals on ecological grounds. They have echoed the GMEU’s calls for conditions to be included to protect habitats and species and achieve overall ecological enhancement from the scheme.

A spokesperson for the anti-Scout Moor campaigners said: “RMNF and SN2SM2 believe Manchester Friends of the Earth’s position does not reflect the ecological realities of the site or the concerns of the communities who will bear the consequences.

“True environmentalism demands more than supporting any project labelled ‘renewable’. It requires scrutiny, honesty, and a commitment to protecting irreplaceable landscapes.

“The groups are calling for a more balanced, evidence‑based dialogue that reflects the full ecological, social, and procedural realities of Rooley Moor.”

So much peat loss is something RMNF and SN2SM2 feel is irreplaceable, despite Cubico’s promise of a major moorland restoration scheme. They are skeptical as to how this could actually be achieved in reality and believe the Cubico scheme is being driven more by commercial incentives than climate necessity. 

Cubico says that for every hectare of peatland affected by the wind farm, they will restore ten. That means 346 hectares of the most degraded moorland would be repaired, an area about three times the size of Manchester’s Heaton Park.

According to their proposals, this would be done through blocking historic drainage channels; replanting native mosses like sphagnum; and carefully reusing peat removed during construction.

A spokesperson for Cubico said: “We recognise that there are differing views locally. Our focus remains on engaging openly and constructively with communities and stakeholders, and on ensuring the application is considered on the basis of its evidence, the detailed assessments that have informed it, and the long-term benefits proposed for the area.”

“Our proposals include long-term moorland restoration and management, habitat enhancement and measures designed to improve the condition of the site over time, alongside wider environmental safeguards shaped through assessment and consultation.

“Our approach has been to minimise impacts where possible and to deliver lasting environmental benefits as part of the scheme.”