Cubico to scope Scout Moor with 91-metre mast
Construction of England’s largest onshore wind farm has taken a step forward with Rochdale Council set to consider the renewable energy developer’s application to build a temporary meteorological mast in a bid to have the 100MW facility operational by 2030.
The 91-metre-tall mast is expected to be in place for 36 months while it gathers wind data from the top of Rooley Moor. Developer Cubico needs to collect two years of wind data before the construction of Scout Moor Two – a £200m onshore wind energy project comprising 21, 180-metre-tall turbines, which would be capable of powering 100,000 Greater Manchester homes annually – can begin.
This approach ensures that if complete planning permission is granted the project can be delivered by 2030, aligning with the government’s Clean Power 2030 ambitions.
To be built on a fenced-off one-acre site south of the Rossendale Way walking trail, the mast will also require secure boxes attached to its base, containing data logging and telecommunications equipment, as well as batteries to provide an independent power supply.
A lightning protection rod would also be attached to the top of the mast.
According to Cubico, the mast will provide critical insights into the prevailing environmental conditions within the potential development area.
Once the mast has been decommissioned, the land will be restored to its original condition.
The existing Scout Moor comprises 26 wind turbines at a height of 100 metres from ground to blade tip.
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Scout Moor Two is currently subject to an EIA scoping report that has been submitted to both Rochdale and Rossendale Councils.
Planning consultant Turley is the chief planner working on Cubico’s behalf. The method statement for the mast’s construction has been prepared by Dulas.
Atmos Consulting will undergo the required ecological appraisal.
The upcoming second round of consultation will run from Tuesday 25 March to Tuesday 29 April and can be accessed at scoutmoor2.co.uk.
Peter Rowe, development manager, Cubico, said: “Scout Moor Two is about more than just delivering clean energy.
“It’s about creating real, lasting benefits for both local residents and the environment.
“Alongside powering up to 100,000 homes, we are committed to restoring and protecting many hectares of degraded moorland, improving biodiversity, and creating long-term economic benefits.”
He continued: “Our multi-million pound Community Wealth Fund will help support local jobs, invest in the area, and fund community projects – making sure that the people who live here see meaningful benefits from hosting this wind farm.”
Cubico has stakes in various renewable projects around the UK including a solar farm in Frodsham.
The developer will contribute a multi-million-pound community wealth fund and a moorland restoration and management plan to mitigate its impact on the natural area.
To view the application, use the planning reference number 25/00199/CONS on Rochdale Council’s planning portal.
This project is not wanted, the existing wind farm is sufficient move it to another area and blight blight the landscape and environment there. No need to build more turbines nearly double the size of the existing ones.
By Anonymous
These 180m monsters are going to result in permanent damage to the moor .
By Wislon
Exciting news, although it will be England’s largest onshore wind farm, not the UK’s. There are many more larger and already operational onshore wind farms in Scotland and Wales. It’s about time England caught up!
By Anonymous
Hi, thanks for this comment, the article has now been updated. Charlie
By Charlie Valentine
How can anyone say “there is no need to build more turbines…”?! There is an overwhelming and urgent need to build more, larger, turbines! Stop living in fantasy land. The climate crisis is real and this is the future of our energy security.
By Anonymous
This sounds like such tortuously slow process, just get on build the wind farm!!
By Anonymous
Most of the uplands around Manchester have been absolutely trashed by generations of drainage by farmers, subsequent over grazing by sheep, spread of invasive species like rhododendron, rampant burning or cutting of regenerating vegetation and peat bogs (releasing carbon) and poisoning/shooting of protected wildlife by gamekeepers on grouse moors; i find it baffling this land use still happens. I’d imagine the “multi-million-pound community wealth fund and a moorland restoration and management plan to mitigate its impact on the natural area” will do more positive work for biodiversity, carbon storage and for communities in upland areas than ‘traditional’ management has ever done.
By Moor facts
Great to see, one of my favourite things about the British countryside is wind farms.
By Anonymous
Fantastic news. I live not too far away and I love to see the existing Scout Moor turbines. It always strikes me as a missed opportunity that it hasn’t been extended yet. Looking forward to this immensely.
By Andrew
Excellent news, on shore and off shore wind farms are the answer to the UKs energy security. This is of national importance so Nimby’s need to be ignored.
By Anonymous
One of our key problems in the planning system is that once something has been built on land, the land is forever fair came to build anything on. Eg. ‘Ah there was once a small green house here, therefore we will be allowed permission for 1000 naff quality homes.’
In a climate crisis, these applications in mid-quality rural areas should be approved rapidly but only temporary. Once we’ve caught up with Net Zero and better solutions are in place, you’ve got say, 2 years to put it back to what it was. Sorted.
By Anonymous
Where does the money come from for the community wealth fund?
Subsidies!
It is the tax payer who is providing this inducement.
Laughable.
By Parsley
The Scout Moor 2 windfall is taking away an important leisure facility for locals by industrialising the moor. Gone will be the opportunity to listen to the skylark with all the turbine noise. The people of Rochdale are being abused again.
By Parsley