Say No to Scout Moor 2

Say No to Scout Moor 2 Protect Rooley Moor, say No to 17 Turbines
We stand for peatland, wildlife, heritage, and community.

Rooley Moor is a carbon store, a historic landscape, and a haven for rare species. Renewable energy is vital, but not at the cost of our precious moors.

Where is the proposed Wind Farm going to be located?It has become clear from conversations with local residents and comm...
13/06/2026

Where is the proposed Wind Farm going to be located?

It has become clear from conversations with local residents and comments on social media that the location of the proposed Scout Moor 2 wind farm is not fully understood by everyone. The name given to the project by the developers may be contributing to this confusion.

Despite its name, the proposed development is not located on Scout Moor. The site covers Rooley Moor and Brandwood Moor, stretching from the top of Cowpe, over to Waugh's Well, across towards Stacksteads and Bacup, and down towards Whitworth and Prickshaw.

The development would line both sides of Rooley Moor Road, creating a corridor of wind turbines up to 180 metres high alongside this important local heritage asset. Rooley Moor Road also forms part of the nationally recognised Pennine Bridleway and the Mary Towneley Loop, routes enjoyed by walkers, cyclists and horse riders from across the country.

The proposed site also includes some of Rossendale and Rochdale's most valued landscapes and landmarks, including Hailstorm Hill Trig Point, Waugh's Well — a much-loved memorial to local poet Edwin Waugh — and areas close to the Prickshaw and Broadley Fold and Catley Lane Head Conservation Areas.

Below is a map showing the proposed development area, along with photographs of the moorland, historic features and heritage assets that could be affected.

We encourage everyone to take the time to understand the scale and location of the proposal.

Scout Moor 2 wind Farm: Rejected Before, Still Wrong Now!This isn't a new debate. Previous Scout Moor expansion proposal...
10/06/2026

Scout Moor 2 wind Farm: Rejected Before, Still Wrong Now!

This isn't a new debate. Previous Scout Moor expansion proposals were refused because of the unacceptable impact on our landscape, heritage and local environment. Residents deserve to know why it was rejected before and whether those same concerns still apply today.

🚫 The expansion of Scout Moor Wind Farm has previously been refused planning permission NOT ONCE BUT TWICE before – and many of the key concerns remain today.

The Secretary of State rejected a previous expansion because it would:
❌ Cause significant harm to our landscape, views and visual amenity
❌ Damage the character, openness and tranquillity of the moorland
❌ Harm important heritage assets
❌ Rely on environmental and restoration benefits that could not be properly secured or enforced
❌ Create impacts that outweighed the claimed benefits of renewable energy generation

The decisions concluded that the harms clearly outweighed the benefits and planning permission was refused.

While planning policies have evolved since then, the fundamental concerns about landscape impact, visual intrusion, heritage harm and deliverability of environmental mitigation have not disappeared.

Here’s a list of just some of the organisations that have already raised objections to the plans. These objections, along with many others, can be viewed on the Rochdale and Rossendale planning portals -
- Natural England
- RSPB
- Lancashire Wildlife Trust
- Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum
- National Trust
- United Utilities
- Met Office
- Gardens Trust
- National Highways
- LCC Public Right of Way
- Historic England
- NATS Safeguarding
- MAG Safeguarding

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the many reasons our moors matter—from their natural beauty and wildlife to their heritage and community value—and why we believe they deserve to be protected for generations.

Follow our page and group, share our posts, and join us as we shine a spotlight on the landscapes, nature, and heritage that make our moors worth fighting for.

🌿📸 Introducing Our Moorland Stories Campaign 📸🌿Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing the beauty, history, wildlife, an...
08/06/2026

🌿📸 Introducing Our Moorland Stories Campaign 📸🌿

Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing the beauty, history, wildlife, and heritage of our precious moors, a place that are now under threat from the proposed Scout Moor 2 wind farm development.

Through photographs, videos, and stories from those who know and love this landscape, we'll take you across the moors to show what makes them so special. We'll explore the rich history of the area, the unique habitats and wildlife it supports, and the stunning views that have inspired generations.

We'll also show you exactly where the proposed development would be located and explain why so many local people are deeply concerned about its potential impact.

This campaign is about celebrating what we stand to lose and helping others understand why we are so passionate about protecting these remarkable moors.

Follow our page and group, share our posts, and join us as we shine a spotlight on the landscapes, nature, and heritage that make our moors worth fighting for.

07/06/2026

👉 🚨 Concerned About Scout Moor 2? Join Our New Community Group

📢 We’re pleased to announce that, alongside this page, we have also created a dedicated Facebook Group to provide a more inclusive platform for everyone interested in the proposed Scout Moor 2 wind farm.

The group is open to anyone who would like to get involved, share views, ask questions, discuss developments, or simply stay informed about the project and its potential impact on our local communities.

Whether you have concerns, want to learn more, or would just like regular updates, we welcome you to join the conversation and help ensure all voices are heard.

🔗 Join the group here: Say No to Scout Moor 2 - Action Group

Please feel free to invite friends, family, neighbours, and anyone else who may be interested in keeping up to date with Scout Moor 2.

As more photos emerge from this morning’s lightning strike at Scout Moor 1, the scale of the damage is becoming impossib...
28/05/2026

As more photos emerge from this morning’s lightning strike at Scout Moor 1, the scale of the damage is becoming impossible to ignore.

This turbine stands right beside a public footpath used regularly by walkers, runners, cyclists and families crossing the moor.

Damaged blade debris has reportedly fallen close to public access routes, while the noise from the broken blade could be heard across the area for hours.

And this is with the existing turbines.
Scout Moor 2 proposes even larger 180m turbines close to routes like Rooley Moor Road, Waugh’s Well and the surrounding trig points.

Our moors should feel open, peaceful and safe — not dominated by towering industrial structures where incidents like this can happen right next to public rights of way.

Today’s events raise serious questions about:
• Public safety
• Separation distances
• Emergency response
• Debris risk near footpaths
• The impact of even larger turbines on public access land.

We will continue calling for proper scrutiny of Scout Moor 2 and for the protection of the people who use and love these moors every day.

This morning, one of the Scout Moor 1 wind turbines was struck by lightning, causing significant blade damage. Residents...
28/05/2026

This morning, one of the Scout Moor 1 wind turbines was struck by lightning, causing significant blade damage. Residents across the area could hear the noise from miles away, while debris fell close to public rights of way used daily by walkers, cyclists and families.

This is exactly why so many local people are deeply concerned about the proposed Scout Moor 2 development and the plan to build even larger 180m turbines close to popular public access routes including Rooley Moor Road, Waugh’s Well and surrounding trig points.

These moorland routes are treasured for recreation, tourism, heritage and open access to the countryside. Yet today’s incident shows the very real risks and disruption that turbine failures can pose when industrial-scale structures are placed so close to areas used by the public.

If damage and debris from existing turbines can affect nearby footpaths now, what happens when turbines become even taller and larger?

Local people deserve:
• Safe public access to the moors
• Proper separation distances from public rights of way
• Full transparency about safety incidents
• Protection of our landscapes and heritage routes

We will continue to stand up for the safety of residents, walkers and visitors, and oppose inappropriate industrial development on our moorland.

24/04/2026

🔬 The Impact of Wind Farms on Moorland Birds in the UK

Wind turbines on moorland can reduce breeding bird densities by up to 53% within 500m - with golden plover numbers dropping 79% within 400m of turbines.

Curlew and snipe populations declined during construction and never recovered.

Hen harrier nesting success near turbines is just 33%, compared to 56% further away.

We fully support renewable energy - but careful siting and smart design, like painted blades that cut collisions by up to 70%, are essential to protect our most vulnerable upland species.

Wind power and moorland birds can coexist. But only if we get the planning right.

Read more - link in replies 👇

21/04/2026

Happy World Curlew Day!

There’s nothing quite like walking our moors—spotting sphagnum moss and hearing skylarks overhead. This is the future we...
14/04/2026

There’s nothing quite like walking our moors—spotting sphagnum moss and hearing skylarks overhead.

This is the future we want for our moorlands: rich in wildlife, naturally holding water, and thriving with biodiversity. Healthy peat is a vital carbon store, locking away carbon for generations—and these landscapes should be protected, not destroyed by wind turbines and access tracks 🌿🐦

Photos and videos taken on Rooley Moor & Brantwood Moor. Proposed site of Scout Moor 2

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