A landmark renewable energy project has been submitted for approval, marking the most significant onshore wind farm proposal in England in over a decade. The £200m Scout Moor Two scheme, backed by Cubico Sustainable Investments, promises to deliver major clean energy capacity and economic benefits across Greater Manchester and East Lancashire.
Located on the southern Pennines, adjacent to the existing Scout Moor wind farm, the proposed development would involve the addition of 17 new turbines to the landscape. Together, these would generate up to 100MW of clean electricity annually, enough to power approximately 100,000 homes, equivalent to 77% of residential properties across Rochdale and Rossendale.
The application has been formally submitted to Rochdale and Rossendale councils. It represents the first major onshore wind development in England since planning restrictions were lifted in 2023.
Alongside clean energy generation, Cubico has committed to a wide-reaching moorland restoration initiative that will cover an area ten times larger than the wind farm itself. This effort is designed to restore biodiversity, reduce flood risk, and enhance carbon sequestration on the upland site.
A £20m community wealth fund has also been proposed, to be distributed over the life of the project, equating to £600,000 annually. This fund will be overseen by the newly established, independent Scout Moor Development Trust, with a mandate to invest directly into local priorities and social initiatives.
Peter Rowe, development manager at Cubico, described Scout Moor Two as a major opportunity for the region:
“This project is a chance for Rochdale and Rossendale to take a leadership role in the UK’s transition to clean energy. It will create jobs, support the regional economy, and increase our domestic energy resilience.”
Rowe also emphasised Cubico’s collaborative approach, noting the extensive local consultation and commitment to community engagement as the project progresses.
Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, welcomed the project as a critical component of the North’s energy strategy.
“Analysis from Cambridge Econometrics shows the North needs £7bn annually in private investment for energy infrastructure to meet demand, support decarbonisation, and create high-value supply chain jobs.”
“Projects like Scout Moor Two are exactly the kind of investment we need to futureproof our grid, reduce reliance on imported gas, and meet the growing electricity needs of transport, heating, and industry in Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Murison added that responsible onshore wind development could strike the right balance between environmental stewardship and the urgent need for energy infrastructure.
The current Scout Moor wind farm, operational since 2008, consists of 26 turbines at 100 metres tall. The proposed expansion site will leverage existing infrastructure and grid connections, reducing development overhead and environmental disruption.
The delivery team for Scout Moor Two includes a comprehensive consortium of consultants and experts, including Turley, Fluid, Dulas, Stephenson Halliday, Pell Frischmann, AOC Archaeology, Air Quality Consultants, Atmos, TNEI, Virtual Planit, EGIS, Lexington, and Charlotte Leach Communications.