Calder Valley MP calls on Government to 'better recognise' peat as carbon store amid windfarm plans
Company behind the proposed site has opened 'statutory consultation'
Hello and welcome to The Calderdale Lead.
In today’s edition we’ve got an update on the controversial plans for a huge windfarm on moorland above Hebden Bridge.
Local MP Josh Fenton-Glynn has written to Ed Miliband to put forward his view on how the Government deals with planning applications such as the one by Calder Wind Farm Ltd which is seeking to build a windfarm on peatland.
His letter comes as the firm behind the scheme has announced a statutory consultation scheme and a series of in-person events.
Full details are below.
Plus, we’ve got details of how many cadidates each party is fielding in the forthcoming local council elections in the Calderdale Digest.
Calderdale Digest
❎When Calderdale voters go to the polls for the local elections on Thursday, May 7, they will have a bumper list of candidates to choose from.
Thanks to boundary changes recommended by the Boundary Commission, Calderdale will elect candidates for 18 wards – one extra has been created to even out each ward’s population.
In turn that tweaked many wards in terms of their boundaries and means that for the first time in 21 years 2026 sees an “all out” election with every single seat up for grabs.
Each ward will have elected three councillors by the time all the votes are counted a day later on May 8, 54 in total.
It also means some name changes for wards, so some familiar names such as Calder have disappeared and new descriptions in place for some of them.
According to the candidate lists officially published by Calderdale Council, 242 candidates are standing for election, representing the full range of political stripes.
The Green Party and Reform UK are both fielding 54 candidates, three in every ward.
Labour is fielding 52 candidates – just one in Elland ward but three in each of the others, while the Conservative Party is fielding 36 candidates and the Liberal Democrats 30.
There are ten people standing as Independents this time around, while the Workers Party of Britain is fielding five candidates.
A lone Official Monster Raving Loony Party candidate – Captain Loogie, standing in Sowerby Bridge – completes the slate.
A letter to Ed: Calderdale MP has questions for Miliband over wind farm
By Andrew Greaves and John Greenwood
Calder Valley MP Josh Fenton-Glynn has urged the Government to better recognise peat as a carbon store when it comes to making decisions, amid controversy surrounding a proposed windfarm on the moors above Hebden Bridge.
Mr Fenton-Glynn has written to Ed Miliband, the Energy and Net Zero Sectretary, to seek clarity on the Government’s new National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure.
Calder Wind Farm Ltd wants to install 34 turbines – down from 41 on the initial plans - moorland at Walshaw Moor.
A statutory public consultation over the scheme has begun and a number of events are being held before the deadline on June 10.
If ultimately approved, the turbines will be visible for miles, including overlooking Bronte Country moorland, and have sparked widespread concern and opposition citing concerns about damage to protected peat bogs, impact on wildlife, increasing flood risk and releasing stored carbon.
They argue the turbines would harm landscape, heritage and tourism, disrupt access routes, cause construction traffic, and bring limited local benefit despite claims of green energy.
Mr Fenton-Glynn has asked for clarification on the new Government guidance, which he says is open to ‘ambiguity’ and ‘subjectivity’.
And he said: “I started from the position that I would be guided by the evidence and approach it with an open mind. I am acutely aware of the climate emergency and need for more renewable energy.
“My view on how they look or otherwise would never be enough to persuade me, despite my love for the moors and our valley. However I am increasingly persuaded that such a large development on protected peatland would be too great a cost to our natural environment, and actually detrimental to our net-zero ambitions.
“Peat plays a vital role in absorbing carbon. As has been said by government ministers ‘our peatlands are this country’s Amazon Rainforest - home to our most precious wildlife, storing carbon and reducing flood risk’.”
“There would be outrage if we were to fell trees in the Amazon to install solar panels and we should be similarly concerned at the prospect of destroying peatland to install windmills with only a 35 year life span.”
Calderdale Energy Park would be capable of generating enough electricity to power approximately 198,000 homes and reduce national CO2 emissions by around 2.9 million tonnes over the windfarm’s lifetime, they argue.
The company’s proposals also include a dedicated Community Benefit Fund worth £1.2million per year, providing financial support for local groups and initiatives, they say.
Christian Egal, Project Director said: “We believe this is a unique opportunity for the people of Calderdale, Bradford and Pendle to secure millions of pounds of investment into the local economy, develop specialist green skills and unlock up to £36m over the next 30 years to invest in local projects and initiatives.
“We understand that people will have differing views on the project.
“The statutory consultation is an important part of the process, and it gives anyone interested the opportunity to view the revised plans and provide feedback.
“At a time when the cost of energy is once again at the top of everyone’s minds, we encourage people to take part so all perspectives can be fully considered.”
Opponents of the scheme accuse them of rushing the process through and ignoring Calderdale and Bradford Council requests to delay the start until after May’s elections in the process.
In-person sessions will be held at three locations in Bradford, one in Calderdale itself and two over the border in Lancashire at Colne.
Calderdale Energy Park’s six in-person consultation sessions are at: Denholme Community Centre, Denholme, Bradford on Friday, April 17, from 2pm to 7pm; at Oxenhope Community Centre, Oxenhope, Bradford, on Saturday, April 18, from 1pm to 5pm; at Hebden Bridge Town Hall on Tuesday, April 21, from 1pm to 7pm; at Trawden Forest Community Centre, Colne, on Saturday, May 9, from 11am to 3pm; at Haworth Village Hall on Tuesday, May 19, from 1pm to 7pm; and at Primet Community Centre, Colne, on Thursday, May 21, from 2pm to 7pm.
Further information about the project and statutory consultation can be found at www.calderdalenergypark.co.uk – members of the public can provide feedback via the online feedback form.
Members of the public can also contact the project team with questions or provide feedback by emailing info@calderdaleenergypark.co.uk or by phoning 01422 702506 between 9am and 5.30pm, Mondays to Fridays, during this period.
That’s all for this edition of The Calderdale Lead. Don’t forget that if you’ve got a story you think we should be covering then please email calderdale@thelead.uk and we’ll take a look.
Until Sunday, enjoy the rest of the week!
Andrew