Scout Moor II Wind Farm Correspondence with Cubico

The following is a record of the correspondence we have been making our members behalf regarding the proposed Scout Moor II Wind Farm with the Developers Cubico. 

There is the potential that the National Trail running over the moors to be seriously affected making it impossible for a lot of Horse Riders to use it after construction of the proposed 21 180' Turbines proposed.

1. As part of the 1st set of Consultations by Cubico on the Scout Moor Windfarm II we have submitted the following comments via their own line form and have asked to be consulted as things go forward.

Scout Moor and Rooley Moor is common land through which a national Bridleway runs. The last development of Scout Moor proposed a wind turbine to be placed in a location where it was visible and close to the Mary Townley loop. After consultation this turbine was removed based upon the fact that,

horses not familiar with turbines, and some who are frightened would be unable to use this historic National Bridlepath. The route is used by horses travelling from all over the nation. The current proposal sites turbines along the route and would therefore destroy this invaluable National Horse trail. Serious consideration needs to be made to ensure any additional turbines do not impact on the route so all horses familiar or not with turbines can freely use this national treasure.

Serious consultation needs to be made with local horse organisations to ensure the sitings of any additional wind turbines do not impact on the enjoyment of this national trail for all equines. Any tracks should be made accessible to pedestrians and horse riders (who have already rights to use all the common) whilst adequate steps to ensure illegal off road vehicles are prevented from destroying the moorland a precious resource for future generations.

2. A meeting of concerned voluntary groups and Cubico was held on the 26th February 2025. NBHBA were represented by Gill. The following Letter and reply was sent to Cubico to ensure our points were fully recorded.

Dear Peter,

I was sorry that I was unable to attend the meeting today at Norden Old Library, however we were represented by Gill.

Can I reiterate what Gill did bring up at the meeting? It is really important that, in the EIA, not only is noise considered, but that it is considered from an Equine hearing point of view. As Gill explained, there is a National Trail running right through the area being considered for development. This is used not only by local horse riders, but by riders travelling from all parts of the UK, to enjoy the quiet off road riding afforded by the 42 mile circular Mary Towneley Route. The route is special, as it is one of the few circular routes where there is very little on road riding. Riders often ride the route over 3-4 days stopping at local B&B's who also accommodate the equines. This benefits both the riders mental health as well as contributing to the local economy of the area via accommodation, forage merchants, farriers etc. (if you are not already aware there are over 500 horses stabled with a 5 mile radius of the moor) 

Horses are by nature flight animals. Any unusual or unexpected visual or aural stimuli can set them into flight mode. They can often spin very quickly and accelerate up to around 50mph in the space of split seconds. If this occurs suddenly riders are at the risk of being unseated and consequential injuries caused by falls. It is extremely important that both the visual and the aural impact of turbines are seriously considered. The trail, by virtue of its National status, is an extremely important route used by local and non-local riders, meaning that acclimatisation to the visual and aural stimuli would not be possible. 

The Blades turning will cast shadows and its important that, at all times of the day and year, these shadows do not cross the route. The changing shadows are something that a lot of horses would take exception to. Any noise impact assessments, as part of the EIA, must consider the effect on the horses audio system, to ensure both horses and riders are kept safe.

When the existing Scout Moor Wind Farm was in planning, Peel Holdings agreed to removal of one of the turbines they had planned, to be removed from the application, due to the visual impact it would afford horses as they travelled from Waterfoot to Scout Moor. We are very concerned about the visual impact of the turbines that are now being proposed and would very much like to see any 3D visual impact models which are produced as part of the EIA process.

We would be happy, if it helps, to meet with any one from Cubico, to discuss sitings and their impact on horses travelling the Mary Townley Loop at any time.

Roads are becoming ever more dangerous to horses as can be seen by recent BHS Statistics (https://www.bhs.org.uk/support-us/our-campaigns/dead-slow/) and so it it is of paramount importance that safe off road routes are not made unrideable.

Kind regards

Pat Tough

Chair of NBH Bridleways Association

Reply

Dear Pat,

Thank you for reaching out and for highlighting these important points, which we did touch on yesterday with Gill. We take the impact on horses and horse riders very seriously and will ensure that the effects of the turbines, particularly from an equine perspective, are thoroughly assessed as part of the planning application.

I’d like to take some time to look into this in detail before responding fully, but I appreciate the offer to meet and would be happy to discuss your concerns further. I’d also welcome the opportunity to explore ways we can work positively together to address them.

We’ll be consulting again in the coming weeks, so there will be an opportunity to meet during the consultation period if that would be helpful. 

Best regards,

Pete

Email sent to Stephenson-Halliday re Visual Impact

We see from social media that you have been engaged by Cubico to assess the visual impact of 21 propose 180 mtr high turbines.

We have corresponded with Cubico to explain that none of the sightings of the Turbines should cause shadows at any time of the day or year to cross the National Trail, the Mary Towneley Loop. It would be really appreciated if your visual impact assessment could specifically address this. Cubico has already assured us that this will be specifically looked at and so if it is currently outside your scope of assessment it would be really appreciated if you could contact Cubico to ensure that it is included. The Mary Towneley Loop runs from Waterfoot to Catley Lanehead ie straight through the proposed sitings of the turbines. 

Kind regards 

Pat Tough 

Chair NBH Bridleways Association