Rishi has voiced his opposition to plans for a large wind farm on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
He said the proposal for 23 200-metre-high turbines on moorland between Richmond and Teesdale just south of the Stang forest, is a threat to this nationally-important landscape.
He says the turbines will be clearly visible from many parts of the National Park and the plan, put forward by the Norwegian company Fred Olsen Renewables, should be rejected.
Speaking out as a public consultation on the plan opens this week, Rishi said he feared the development’s impact on the site’s peatland – a highly valued carbon store which also helps prevent flooding by retaining water in the uplands.
He said: “The application site lies just outside the northern boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park but its visual impact on the landscape of Swaledale, Wensleydale and further afield will be very, very obvious.
“We have just opened the Coast to Coast Walk as one of the UK’s National Trails – a celebration of what makes this part of the world so special. After more than 10 years of campaigning for that to happen, I cannot support a plan which will lead to the views from many parts of the trail – some of the most beautiful – being spoilt in this way.
Rishi added that the erection of the turbines and the creation of service roads and construction of associated buildings to sustain the wind farm would lead to a loss of peatland.
“I have seen wonderful work in our area to protect and restore peatland. It is a unique resource, locking up huge volumes of carbon and playing an increasingly important role in water management. Healthy peat acts as a natural sponge, absorbing water to reduce flood risk to communities in the lowlands.”
An application for 54-metre-high turbines on the same moorland was rejected in the High Court in 1999 when the judge supported a planning inspector who concluded that the “special character” of this area of “high landscape value” would “be seriously harmed”.
The first stage of the public consultation led by Fred Olsen Renewables runs until June 30. People can provide feedback by completing an online feedback form at www.hopemoor.co.uk/share-your-views, or by completing a paper copy of the form on the website and returning it via post to FREEPOST HOPE M (no stamp required). Views can also be shared by emailing at [email protected].
A series of consultation events will be held in May and June, including at Newsham on Saturday, May 16 and Thursday, June 4, Reeth on Thursday, May 21, and Saturday, June 6, and Richmond, on Friday May 22. Further details at www.hopemoor.co.uk.
