Scout Moor: England's largest onshore wind farm approved

Scout Moor wind farm has 26 existing turbines, with the expansion increasing the number to 42

Planning permission has been granted for two turbines that will create England's largest onshore wind farm.

Peel Energy and United Utilities want to add a further 16 turbines to the existing 26 at Scout Moor, on land between Rochdale and Rossendale.

Rochdale Borough Council gave the go-ahead for the final two at a meeting on Monday.

Rossendale Borough Council's development control committee approved the other 14 on 1 September.

Scout Moor wind farm opened in 2008 to generate enough electricity for 40,000 homes.

Current top five wind farms in England

1. Keadby, Lincolnshire 68 MW (34 turbines- 2 MW each)

2. Fullabrook Down, Devon 66 MW (22 turbines- 3 MW each)

3. Scout Moor, Rochdale 65 MW (26 turbines- 2.5 MW each)

4. Little Cheyne Court, Kent 59.8 MW (26 turbines- 2.3 MW each)

5. Middlemoor, Northumberland 54 MW (18 turbines- 3 MW each)

Source: RenewableUK