Objection to 17 Wind Turbines Planning Application

Cubico put into Rossendale and Rochdale Planning Departments an Application in late Aug 2025 to construct 17 Wind Turbines on land adjacent to the Mary Towneley Loop. The Planning Application was 2025/0267  in Rossendale and 25/00680/FUL.  The following objection was submitted on behalf of the Equestrian population who use the Mary Towneley Loop.

Objection submitted To Rossendale and Rochdale Planning Departments on 29/9/2025 

On behalf of our members, we object in the strongest terms to the proposed wind farm planning application (Rossendale 2025/0267, RMBC 25/00680) for the following reasons

1. Although access is not normally a planning consideration, it is part of the National Planning Policy Framework where it states that “Planning policies and decisions should protect and enhance public rights of way and access, including taking opportunities to provide better facilities for users, for example by adding links to existing rights of way networks including National Trails.”. This planning application does the exact opposite, destroying a National Trail. We implore that the Councils take into account the special circumstances of the circular Mary Towneley Loop. This is a National Trial used frequently by equestrians both from the area (over 500 horses in the immediate vicinity of the proposed application) and from the country as a whole, bringing in economic benefit to a wide range of employment in the surrounding area ranging from accommodation and eating businesses, to farriers, feed merchants and a host of other associated employment. The provision of turbines along the whole of Rooley Moor Road on either side at distances as close as 200m from the route will kill the National Trial in its tracks as a direct result of the shadow throw and noise that will be introduced along the whole length of Rooley Moor Road. There is no other alternative path to cross Rooley and Scout Moor. The turbines will make the existing path impossible for most, if not all, equines to traverse due to the flight or fight intrinsic instinct they hold and the fact that Shadow Throw will occur at all times of the day whenever the sun shines (see https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fkN2MFyLl85DwhAl8ToXjuIsIsf1JiPf/view?usp=drive_link for an example of what shadow throw looks like and why it will make it impossible for most equines to use the National Trail).

2. There will be further severe visual impacts if this application is approved, both in the immediate vicinity of the wind farm and across a good proportion of Greater Manchester and Lancashire and West Yorkshire. The moors in this area have over the past 20 or so years seen the visual view of moorland destroyed by the large number of windfarms which have been granted. It is now time to start to preserve what small amount of unspoilt moorland remains. This is particularly important for this application given the existence of the National Trail and the resultant destruction of it should this application be given the green light. This, linked with the well-known fact that the grid infrastructure cannot cope with electricity generated from existing windfarms, causing government subsidy to be given to turn off generating capacity, should strongly be considered before any application is approved.

3. Safety. The existing Scout Moor 1 Wind Farm tracks has over many years encouraged illegal off-road vehicles to frequent the moor which is a Section 198 Common. These vehicles have in the past made the moors inaccessible for legitimate users due to their anti-social activities destroying the moorland and making it very unsafe for equestrians in particular to enjoy the open space as of their right. During concerted efforts of the Police, the councils (via PSBOs) and volunteers this activity has greatly reduced though not disappeared. The opening up of more wind farm tracks in this application will further encourage off road riders from across the country to descend once again on the area and stopping legitimate users (Ramblers, Cyclists and Equestrians) from safe access to the moors.

4. Noise. There will be noise coming from both the blades turning and the rotational equipment associated with the wind turbines which will have adverse effects on horses in the vicinity. This will particularly be an issue when the turbines suddenly start to reorientate to better position themselves to the wind direction. The assessment technique proposed by Cubico in the planning application is proposed to be based on the ETSU-97-R. This is despite this standard being over 20 years old and the fact that, even in this standard, it is made clear that the information in the standard is advisory and not statutory. The content of ETSU-97-R is totally unsuitable for these huge turbines. Why cannot explicit assessments based on existing similar sized turbines be undertaken rather than saying these turbines conform to the outdated standard which is well over due a revision?

 In addition, should the application get the go ahead, we would very much appreciate it if the Council would proactively and continuously monitor the execution of the application. We have no confidence in Cubico for listening to or acting upon what they promise. This is based on our experience to date. In May 2025 we had a meeting with Cubico (see the contemporaneous notes below) which was also attended by the British Horse Society’s North West representative. At that meeting we discussed, in detail, the horse riders concerns. They listened in, what we believed to be, an attentive fashion. We felt they understood the issues regarding shadow throw and were looking into potentially re-siting the turbines particularly at the Waterfoot End, where turbines can be hidden from view due to the topology of the land and only come into view when you were nearly at the base of the turbines, giving horses no chance to get used to them from a distance. We expressed concerns re using Rooley Moor Road as construction access for the mast via an email and Cubico agreed to give us notification of when this would occur, so we could inform members and the wider equestrian population around the area of the potential activity to avoid any unnecessary accidents. Cubico though did not inform us of when the mast was going to be constructed, a break of their promise. We supplied them with details of local equestrian facilities that would be most affected by the development but Cubico has not acknowledge the meeting we had with them in their application instead just mentioned off the cuff the establishments we specifically supplied to them. How can we trust they have actually spoken with the majority of affected equestrians at those establishments when they cannot even mention the meeting they had with a National Body and local Bridleway Association? No change in any turbine locations have been made so, again, they have totally ignored what was discussed at our meeting. For this reason, should the application be successful, we do implore that the two Councils, RMBC and RCC, take seriously the execution of the application and ensure, by positive steps, to monitor throughout construction to ensure any conditions placed are executed to the letter.

Contemporaneous notes of meeting with Cubico sent to and agreed by Mr Peter Rowe as a true record.

Present :- Pat Tough NBHBA, Gill Morrell NBHBA, Chris Peat BHS, Peter Rowe Cubico, John Eirian Davies Cubico.

1.   Shadow Throw

The issue with Shadow Throw on the Mary Towneley Loop (MTL) was discussed. A video of the sort of issues the equine community were concerned about was shown. CP said she feared that if the Turbines were built then that would signal the end of the MTL. CP explained the issues that had occurred at Coal Clough Wind Farm which initially had the bridleway running through the middle of the Farm. These were early turbines of small stature. When the turbines were replaced for larger turbines the bridlepath was moved to the edge of the Farm which worked much better for horses. GM asked if Cubico could do some analysis to try and determine the effect the shadow throw might have on the MTL. PT explained the issue with the MTL being it is narrow with ditches along most of its length so any horse spooking & bolting would be in danger of slipping on the loose stones or falling down the ditch. PR stated that Shadow Flicker assessment techniques were well established but there was little experience of Shadow Throw assessments though Cubico would try and provide some information.

2.   Visibility of Turbines as you climb up from Cowpe

GM explained that in the Scout Moor 1 application there was one turbine which was eventually removed from the application due to the fact that the topography of the climb up meant that the turbine did not come into view until you turned a corner when you were confronted with the turbine very close to you. She asked if Cubico could do some visualisations of their turbines in this area to ensure a similar problem did not occur with their planned turbines as it was very hard to see how the topology of the ground would interact with the view of the turbines. She did say that it may not be an issue in this case as some of the turbines to the east might be visible from a distance but could not visualise it. PR agreed to look at it.

3.   Illegal Off Road Riding Mitigation

JED explained what steps were currently being considered to try and mitigate illegal Off Road Riding. They were looking into providing fences between the Common Land and the areas of the Site owned by individuals. Gates to allow legitimate users access to the wind farm tracks would be provided. They were also looking into providing gates on Rooley Moor Road at the crossing point over the MTL again to deter illegal users from accessing the moors. The fencing and the gates would have a maintenance contract paid for by Cubico (not part of the Community Wealth Fund). They had also been in discussions with RMNF regarding the barrier at the bottom of Rooley Moor Road as they were thinking this barrier could be part of the same maintenance contract even though it is off the Site as part of Cubico commitment to work with Communities. JED asked what the equine thoughts were re this barrier. There were no issues with the barrier as there is a small gate next to the barrier which as long as stones did not block the base of the gate was satisfactory for equines. It might be that any maintenance work on the gate could provide a solution whereby there is more clearance at the base of the gate so that it does not catch on the stones.

4.   Wind Farm Tracks

JED explained how in other operational wind farms, equestrians seemed to prefer to use the Tracks given their flat well maintained nature. GM did say that was probably true for Equines who did not mind the turbines and it would be even better if a grass verge could be put down at the side of the tracks to allow a good surface to trot or canter on.

5.   AOB

JED explained what was being proposed (although at an early stage of development) with regard to the set aside land. The land will be on the edge of the Common Land and there may be the possibility of providing an alternative permissive bridlepath which provides a continuous route from the Cowpe end right through to the Cately Lane Head end avoiding the MTL across the moor. PT said that would be very welcome though a formal bridlepath would be preferred ensuring longevity of the route.

JED also said they were thinking about providing information boards at for instance the sight of the Moorcroft with signage point out the alternative bridlepath and perhaps a water trough and tie up rings. CP stated that the normal weather along the route can be quite inclement and most people would just want to press on and complete the Moor route. Provision of a water trough could be good though as there is very little watering spots along the whole of the MTL which is an issue if horses are sweating a lot.

Pat Tough

Chair of NBH Bridleways Association

We have also been in correspondence with our MP Elsie Blundell asking her to bring up the effect on the National Trail if the matter is discussed in Parliament.