Ian Botham steps out in opposition to Hope Moor wind farm plan

Cricket legend Lord Ian Botham joined hundreds of campaigners who are fighting to save “God’s country”.

A walk aimed at raising awareness of plans by Fred Olsen Renewables to build a wind farm on Hope Moor that will include 23, 200m turbines took place last weekend.

In stunning autumn sunshine, the protesters, including renowned mountaineer Alan Hinkes, were led by Lord Botham on a walk from Barningham to the site of the controversial scheme.

Asked by ITV News why he had agreed to take part in the walk, he pointed to the surrounding moorland and answered: “Why ruin this?

“This is lovely, this is beautiful, this is God’s own country.

“I am fighting for my grandchildren and their children and I want them all to have the same that we have environmentally.”

Lord Botham lives near Barningham and is widely regarded as England’s greatest all-round cricketer.

He added: “This development will severely damage a fine moorland habitat.

“Huge concrete foundations will be sunk for the 600ft towers.”

The first consultation stage of the planning process has finished with the second stage due to start early next year.

Suzy Wilson is a founding member of the Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group and she was instrumental in organising the walk.

Speaking to the Mercury, she said: “On Sunday morning over 200 community members faced the uphill challenge and walked for Hope Moor from Barningham to How Tallon trig point.

“This is showing strong community feelings against the Norwegian developer Olsen’s industrial scale wind farm project.

“The simple message from those gathered and many who support us is that this is the wrong development in the wrong place.

“The preservation of this national landscape and stunning wilderness area does matter.

“We want to say a big thank you to everyone who joined in and to the supporters who were not able to do so.

“From all the action group members, we send thanks to Lord Botham and Alan Hinkes.

Campaigners fear the development would cause significant environmental damage to the fragile peat moorland, threaten local wildlife and permanently alter the landscape.

Mr Hinkes, who lives in Teesdale, said: “This is an inappropriate development in the wrong place.

“These enormous turbines are on the edge of the national park and will be seen from miles away in County Durham, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

“It is not a [wind] ‘farm’, it is a giant power station, industrialising and destroying the countryside.”

Euan Hutchison, UK development director at Fred Olsen Renewables said: “There are a range of views about the proposed Hope Moor Wind Farm, and we remain committed to engaging with local communities as our proposals develop.

“As we’ve seen this summer, climate change is already affecting the landscapes and habitats we value, while global instability continues to influence energy prices and energy security.

“Hope Moor Wind Farm is an opportunity to generate clean, home-grown energy, support net zero ambitions and bring long-term investment to the area for future generations.”