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The final approval for two turbines at what will become the England’s largest onshore windfarm have been granted.
Plans submitted by United Utilities (UU) and Peel Energy to build an additional two turbines, at the Scout Moor onshore windfarm have been approved by Rochdale Borough Council. This comes after planning approval for 14 additional turbines was granted by Rossendale Borough Council at the start of the month.
The move will see an additional 39.1MW of capacity to the existing 26 turbine windfarm, which currently has a capacity of 65MW.
The companies originally applied to build an additional 26 turbines in December last year, but scaled back plans to just 16 extra turbines in April in response to public feedback.
The reduction means the expansion is by less than 50MW and therefore no longer requires approval from the Planning Inspectorate as it is not considered to be a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.
The plans also include benefits for the local community including a long term restoration plan for the moorland, which will improve the water quality; build paths for pedestrians and horse riders linking wind farm access tracks to existing public rights of way; and offer up to £750,000 a year for local authorities in business rate retention and local jobs and order procurement.
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