Save the Dales,the very real threat of destroying the Yorkshire Dales with the largest wind farm in England, as planned by Kelda for corporate greed

Breaking down 28 turbines into three separate planning applications is considered by many to be a devious strategy; if the first is approved it could lead to a likely agreement for the other two as the damage will already have been done; furthermore separate public objections have to be raised for each application. The 28 new wind turbines will then combine with the existing and adjacent 8 Knabs Ridge turbines, to form the largest onshore wind farm in England, consisting of 36 mammoth turbines. The area covered will be approximately 4 sq miles (6 square kilometres) – equal to almost half the size of Harrogate.

All four adjoining wind farms are detailed on the map accessed from the Page Links on the left and are as follows:

Developer	Turbines	Status
Kelda	7 x 100m	Application submitted July 2012
Tapar	4 x 110m	Application submitted Oct 2012
Kelda	17 x 125m	Application to be submitted very shortly
NPower	8 x 97.5m	Operational

The current 8 Knabs Ridge turbines, which are only 50ft (15m) from the border of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Beauty, were approved in 2005 by a single unelected Planning Inspector acting on behalf of John Prescott. He overruled the previous rejection by Harrogate Borough Council, despite the tremendous harm to the landscape that would be caused, on the basis that Government targets trump all.

The impact of the existing smaller 8 turbines, will pale into insignificance by the 36 turbine wind farm. The sheer mass of mammoth turbines on such high ground will dominate views over a high proportion of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Washburn Valley, and for tens of miles over surrounding countryside, treasured heritage assets and many parts of Harrogate.

The negatives of a wind farm is not just visual; as covered from the left Page Links, there are the often claimed effects of noise, low frequency infra sound, adverse health issues, shadow flicker from rotating blades, wildlife, reduction in property values and in tourism. In addition, the major disruption caused by construction could extend over several years. All these are possible serious issues that developers and the government often seriously underplay, misrepresent or simply ignore. Those who support wind farms, for financial, idealistic or other reasons, will of course argue differently; it is therefore up to the visitors of this website to make their own judgement.

Kelda, through their actions elsewhere have demonstrated that they arrogantly believe their immense corporate might and tactics will allow them to do what they want and where they want. To understand who we are up against please visit the 'Who Kelda Really Are' Page Link on the left, but be prepared to be very angry!

If only there was a justifiable reason for all this but it is perceived by many that there is not; it is all about the clamour for the vast government subsidies in respect of wind farms – subsidies that are paid for in normal people’s power bills. It is imperative that the ‘Wind Facts’ page is also visited as well as the videos and articles accessed from that page; this will surely enlighten!

Above all please raise your personal objection to these plans; visit the ‘How to Object’ page for information on how to do this.