Why should we care about this moorland?
Walshaw moor is an area of more than 9 square miles of outstanding natural beauty.
Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it is recognised as nationally important to protect. This SSSI not only provides a vital breeding habitat for endangered ground nesting birds, but also stores CO2: “Peat stores ten times more carbon per hectare than any other land-based ecosystem”. Even rainforest.
Why is it at risk?
The moor is owned by a landowner called Richard Bannister who hopes, upon successful planning application, to sell Walshaw moor to a Saudi-backed development company calling itself Calderdale Windfarm Ltd. However, this innocuous 'windfarm' is in fact a proposal to erect 65 massive turbines, up to 200 metres tall (42 metres taller than Blackpool tower) in what will be the largest onshore windfarm in England.
But isn't wind energy a good thing?
We are in favour of wind power and renewable energy. But these are the wrong turbines in the wrong place! This proposal amounts to the industrialisation of precious peatland moors. It would be catastrophic for both nature and local communities. Each mammoth turbine requires 1.600 tons of reinforced concrete, and the immense infrastructure connecting them will mean over 21 miles of access roads. This project, far from being 'green', will not only destroy the moors but release safely stored C02 into the atmosphere, further adding to the climate emergency.
Homes at risk!
It is not only precious creatures that are threatened with losing their homes if this 'windfarm' goes ahead. So are we! The Calder Valley has a history of serious flooding. The destruction of the moors above the valley will impact the peatland, impairing its role as a protective factor in containing rainfall. This will lead to more water flowing down into the towns below, causing further disastrous flooding of homes and local businesses.
Peatland takes 1000s of years to be created and once it is badly degraded can never be restored.
Lastly, we have a nature emergency as well as a climate emergency. We cannot afford to lose any more curlews or lapwings. Even rarer is the Golden Plover, which can still be found on Walshaw moor.
This land is an irreplaceable community asset:
Walshaw moor has deep significance both historically and culturally. Immortalised by the Bronte sisters these moors attract tourists from all over the world. Wuthering Heights is reputed to be situated at Top Withins.
Walshaw and Shackleton moors offer local communities outstanding areas of natural landscape to enhance their mental and physical well being. These moors are surrounded by some of the most densely populated areas of the UK and are a priceless heritage for future generations.
All money raised will be used to give a voice to local communities; through paying to develop and print campaign materials such as banners and information leaflets, seek legal advice, organise community events, and publicise the need to preserve peatlands.
Once they ‘pave paradise’ it will be too late! Please join our campaign.