Calder Wind Farm Ltd has unveiled plans for England's largest onshore wind farm, proposing the installation of 41 turbines at Walshaw Moor, located above Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. This ambitious project aims to generate enough electricity to power approximately 250,000 homes, marking a significant step towards the UK's renewable energy targets. Despite its designation as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which places the final decision with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Calderdale Council is poised to play a "crucial role" in the development process, according to Councillor Scott Patient.

The project's NSIP status means the application will ultimately be decided by Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. However, Councillor Patient, Calderdale Council's cabinet member for climate action and housing, emphasized the authority's continued involvement as a statutory consultee throughout various stages, including the current pre-application phase. The council's role, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, is to ensure the developer proactively addresses local impacts and adheres to local planning policies, particularly concerning the green belt, ecology, highways, landscape, and flood risk.

While the developer, Calder Wind Farm Ltd, asserts that the site will deliver "substantial economic and employment benefits to both Calderdale and the wider region" and presents a "key opportunity to support the UK Government's Net Zero targets" due to strong wind resources, the proposal has drawn considerable local opposition. Campaigners have voiced significant concerns regarding the potential impact on protected peatland and the sensitive moorland habitat, which supports nesting birds. Furthermore, critics highlight the visual intrusion of turbines, each reportedly as tall as Blackpool Tower, on the renowned "Bronte country" landscape, with related infrastructure visible for miles.

The UK government has set an ambitious target for 95% of its electricity supply to be low-carbon by 2030, making large-scale renewable energy projects like Calder Wind Farm critical to achieving this goal. The planning application is not expected until spring 2026, allowing for continued pre-application engagement and consultation. The project's progression will be closely watched by industry stakeholders, environmental groups, and local communities as it navigates the complex regulatory and public acceptance landscape inherent in major infrastructure developments.