'Major' wind farm plan near Yorkshire Dales

The wind turbines would tower about 650ft (200m) above the moorland

A wind farm featuring 20 wind turbines could be built on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

The 200m (656ft)-high structures would be erected near the Stang Forest, between Arkengarthdale and Teesdale, if the proposal by Fred Olsen Renewables is approved.

The developer claimed the Hope Moor Wind Farm would generate enough energy to power 81,000 homes and businesses.

It said it expected to begin a first consultation later this year, with a further consultation taking place in spring 2026 before the submission of an application in 2027.

"This is a major scheme and it is important that people living in the area find out as much information as possible about what's being proposed," said Yvonne Peacock, who represents the Upper Dales on North Yorkshire Council.

The wind farm would be built near the Stang Forest if plans are approved

According to the proposals, the layout and final number of turbines would be decided following consultation with Historic England, Natural England, the Environment Agency, and local communities.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, due to the size of the scheme, the Secretary of State would need to issue a development consent order following an assessment of the plans by the Planning Inspectorate, rather than the proposal being decided by North Yorkshire Council.

The Norwegian developer, which already operates wind farms in the UK, said Hope Moor would be "sensitively designed to respect nature and the landscape, as well as the traditional land practices of the upland moors".

The project would create jobs and invest in local communities, it added.

If approved, it would be located on an area of open moorland to the south of Barnard Castle and north of Richmond which covers about 1,130 hectares (2,792 acres).

"The open topography and isolated location mean Hope Moor gifts the North of England an ideal site for carbon negative power generation," the company said.

It confirmed the scheme would be outside the boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and said it was still at a very early stage of development.

The public is being invited to find out more about the plans at informal drop-in sessions taking place at Reeth Memorial Hall, Barningham Village Hall and Bowes and Gilmonby Village Hall throughout November.

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