Updated February 10, 2026 – A long-planned proposal to build what would become England’s largest onshore wind farm project on Walshaw Moor in West Yorkshire has been scaled back again by developers, following sustained public and regulatory scrutiny. The revised plan now foresees a reduced number of turbines, down from earlier, larger layouts. This is as the project, also known as Calderdale Energy Park, seeks to address environmental, landscape and planning concerns raised by local communities and conservation groups that have opposed the industrial-scale development on peatland and moorland.

Critics of the original scheme, which attracted national attention for its potential to transform the moorland landscape and heritage-rich Brontë countryside, welcomed the reduction but continue to press for greater environmental protections and design refinements. The ongoing revisions are also a reflection of the challenges faced when setting up large wind projects in rather sensitive upland areas. This is not to mean that offshore installations are better off as they have their fair share of challenges, like unexploded World War 2 bombs  – Norfolk Vanguard West offshore wind project off the east coast of England recently started assessments to help clear this hurdle.

More on the latest update on Calderdale Energy Park/Walshaw Moor onshore wind farm project

The controversial Walshaw Moor onshore wind project, recently rebranded as Calderdale Energy Park, was originally proposed in September 2023 as the largest onshore wind farm in England with up to 65 turbines. The design has been progressively scaled back following extensive surveys and stakeholder input, and now comprises up to 41 turbines with an integrated battery energy storage system (BESS).

The onshore wind site, spanning more than 2,300 hectares of peatland and designated conservation areas above Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, has been at the center of strong local opposition. This is due to potential ecological impacts on blanket bog habitats and ground-nesting bird species.

The project team is now working through non-statutory consultations and is preparing for formal planning examination. Grid connection and other regulatory pathways such as the UK’s National Energy System Operator’s Gate 2 processes are also being explored to align with national renewable targets.

If approved, developers estimate the wind farm could begin construction around 2029-2030 and operate for several decades. This will be an immense contribution to the UK’s net-zero transition despite the ongoing contention from environmental groups.

Calderdale Energy Park/Walshaw Moor onshore wind farm project development timeline

September 2023: First announced as Calderdale Wind Farm. Initial concept included up to 65 turbines with potential solar and BESS components.

Late 2023 – early 2024: Initial response and local discourse surface. Landowner reports about conditional land sale linked to eventual planning approval.

2024: Baseline ecological and design review work leads to revision of the turbine count. Early planning studies continue.

April – June 2025: Non-statutory public consultation undertaken on revised proposals with up to 41 turbines plus a BESS installation.

Late 2025: Project rebrands to Calderdale Energy Park to reflect integrated energy park, including large-scale wind plus storage.

2026: Preparations continue for planning steps. Grid connection applications and new regulatory pathways are also being pursued.

Projected Build Timeline: Developers estimate construction could start mid-to-late 2029 with onshore operations commencing in 2030–2031.

Factsheet for Calderdale Energy Park/Walshaw Moor onshore wind farm project

Location: Walshaw Moor, near Hebden Bridge, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England

Site Area: 2,352 hectares of peatland upland moor

Project Type: Onshore wind farm integrated with battery energy storage system (BESS)

Proposed Capacity: Approximately 300 MW

Turbines: Up to 34 – 41 wind turbines. This is a reduction from the original 65 proposed at project inception.

Energy Output Potential: Enough to power 250,000 homes

Project Status: Non-statutory and statutory consultations underway. Planning submission also targeted for late 2026 to the UK Planning Inspectorate for the Development Consent Order (DCO) process.

Environmental Context: Site includes internationally important blanket bog. Walshaw Moor site area has been designated as SSSI/Special Area of Conservation/Special Protection Area. Currently, there is strong local environmental concerns over peat disturbance and biodiversity impact.

Participants, stakeholders and contractors in the development of England’s largest onshore wind farm

Project Sponsors and Development Entities

1. Calderdale Wind Farm Ltd / Calderdale Energy Park Ltd

• Lead company driving the wind farm project proposal and statutory process.

2. NextGen Infra

• Global investment group sponsoring the development. Is a subsidiary of Al Gihaz Holding.
• Al Gihaz Holding has energy and infrastructure interests and is backing the project financially.

3. Al Gihaz Holding

• Saudi Arabian holding company with investments across energy and infrastructure. Provides financial support to NextGen Infra and the project.

4. Walshaw Moor Estate/Richard Bannister

• Landowner of the Walshaw Moor site. Contract to sell/lease land subject to planning consent have been tabled.

Consultants and Advisors

5. Cavendish Consulting

• Public relations and stakeholder engagement consultancy previously associated with early project communications.

6. Project Director – Christian Egal

• Named project director who relaunched Calderdale Energy Park public consultations in April 2025.

Regulatory and Statutory Bodies

7. UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

• Issued a Section 35 direction related to the project’s consideration under the Planning Act 2008.

8. UK Planning Inspectorate

• This is the statutory body that will examine the project’s DCO application at a national level if submitted.

9. Calderdale Planning Department

• Local planning authority consulted in pre-application and scoping. Provided responses to the project’s environmental reports.

Community and Civil Societies

10. Wadsworth Parish Council

• Local parish council conducting independent resident surveys and submitting formal responses to scoping and pre-application materials.

13. Stop Calderdale Energy Park/ Save & Restore Walshaw Moor

• Community campaign group opposing the project due to environmental and landscape concerns.

14. Calderdale Windfarm Action Group (CWAG)

• Local campaigning group on social media platform Facebook and community engagement forums opposing the development.

15. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust – a local conservation entity

• Local environmental interests have been voiced in debates around impacts of the project. Their ‘official’ position and submissions are part of the broader public discourse.

England could get its largest onshore wind farm in Walshaw Moor, West Yorkshire

Reported November 15, 2023 – Calderdale Windfarm Ltd, supported by Worldwide Renewable Energy Global (WWRE), has unveiled plans for what could become England’s largest onshore wind farm, located on Walshaw Moor in West Yorkshire. The proposed project encompasses 65 turbines, ranging from 150 to 200 meters in height, with an accompanying energy storage component of up to 150 MW. If approved, the wind farm is expected to generate up to 302 MW of electricity, powering approximately 286,500 homes annually.

A controversial wind project

The project, set to be one of the first wind farm applications in England since the government eased regulations in September, is part of the UK’s commitment to expanding carbon-free renewable energy sources. However, the proposal has sparked controversy, with environmental campaigners expressing concerns about potential damage to the sensitive blanket bog habitats on Walshaw Moor. These areas, described by Natural England as “among the most important habitat England has to offer,” play a crucial role in carbon storage.

Also read: The North Ayrshire Wind-Farm Takes Shape

Calderdale Windfarm Ltd. acknowledges the need for collaboration with the local community, environmental groups, and authorities to address concerns and shape the final project design. The company aims to submit a full planning application to Calderdale Council in the summer of 2024.

The development has faced opposition from those wary of the impact on the landscape, echoing previous challenges in obtaining approval for wind projects in England since 2015. The proposed wind farm could bring significant changes to the region, including the cessation of heather burning and shooting on Walshaw Moor, with the promise of planting up to 300,000 new trees. Additionally, a £75 million Community Benefit Fund is proposed to aid in reducing fuel poverty across the district.

As the application progresses, discussions will likely revolve around finding a balance between meeting the growing demand for renewable energy, addressing environmental concerns, and preserving the unique landscape of Calderdale. The final decision rests with Calderdale Council’s planning committee, which is expected to review the application in the coming year.