Coronation Power submit planning application for Rooley Moor Wind Farm

Coronation Power submits plans for a wind farm on Rooley Moor

Coronation Power has submitted its planning application for the proposed Rooley Moor Wind Farm to Rochdale Borough Council and Rossendale Council.

The wind farm application follows on from technical and environmental studies over the past eight months as well as consultation with members of the local community and various organisations.

These consultations have led to the number of wind turbines being reduced from 17 to 12 as well as the introduction of various measures to protect and enhance Rooley Moor for recreational use by horse riders, runners and walkers.

It is understood that Coronation Power has also proposed a set of measures to protect the historic Rooley Moor Road and ensure that the temporary construction traffic to and from the site is safely managed and disturbance is kept to a minimum.

Coronation Power say that if planning permission is granted by the two councils the wind farm will generate clean renewable energy for 20,000 homes in the region, provide at least £2million for local education and environment projects and offer the local community the prospect of shared ownership in the wind farm.

Edward Romaine, Project Manager for Coronation Power, said: “Our applications have taken account of expert opinion and the views of local people, as well as local planning policy and the Government’s energy objectives. Rooley Moor is an ideal site for a wind farm and will bring considerable benefit to the area if it is permitted and built.

“The two councils will now consider our application, which will be open for further public comment before they reach a decision. If the scheme is approved by the councils, a community fund of £2million will be made available to the local community and there is an option for one or both of the councils and the local community to invest in the project with the guarantee of a fixed income for a period of up to 25 years.”

Despite Coronation Power’s positive outlook, there are those who are against seeing the wind farm built.

John Newcombe, from the Prickshaw and Broadley Conservation Area Committee, said: “We are extremely concerned that we will not have sufficient time to respond to what we believe is the biggest planning decision ever to be faced by Rochdale and Rossendale Councils. We are asking for an extension to the statutory 21 day response period, such is the sheer scale of the application. This will be the biggest thing to happen to Rochdale and whichever way you look at it, whether that is visually, financially or culturally, there is a negative aspect to this development.”

Edward Romaine of Coronation Power added: “We have assessed a range of issues including ecology, visual impacts, water and drainage, noise, health and safety. People can view our environment statement via our website for all of the information. We have listened and amended our scheme to reduce its impact and so it’s important that everyone considers the facts before passing judgement, nor overlook the significant benefits that the wind farm brings to the area.”

Coronation Power believes that the lower number of turbines reduces the scheme's visual impact whilst increasing the distance away from the nearest group of houses to about 1.5kms. The revised layout also helps the scheme's visual integration with the existing Scout Moor Wind Farm.

The company has also ensured that horse riders will benefit from a new bridleway to provide an alternative route across the site whilst construction is being carried out, and the layout of the scheme has been changed so that there will be at least 170 metres between each of the turbines and the Pennine Bridleway.

If proposals are approved, when building the wind farm, Coronation Power will transport the wind turbines onto the site via the M62, through the centre of Rochdale and Spotland via Ings Lane and onwards towards the Moor via Rooley Moor Road. Construction traffic will use the road for a period of about six months and once the scheme is operational, there will be a single vehicle using Rooley Moor Road once or twice a week.