Rival MPs unite in Hope Moor wind farm fight

Former Tory prime minister Rishi Sunak and Teesdale’s Labour MP Sam Rushworth have united to oppose plans to build Hope Moor Wind Farm.

Despite their political differences, both believe the impact the controversial project would have on the nationally important landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the outstanding natural beauty of the North Pennines outweigh any potential benefits.

Fred Olsen Renewables want to build 23, 200m turbines on stunning moorland that straddles the border between Mr Sunak’s Richmond constituency and Bishop Auckland, the constituency represented by Dr Rushworth.

They have issued joint statements this week opposing the scheme, which has already gone through the first consultation planning stage with the second to follow early next year.

The decision to approve or reject the huge wind farm will be decided at government level.

The two MPs met members of the Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group on the moorland earmarked for turbines, which would be higher than London’s Post Office Tower.

Mr Sunak said he was concerned about the impact of the development on the area’s peatland – a hugely valuable habitat for storing carbon and helping with flood management.

Dr Rushworth added that while supportive of the role onshore wind can play in the UK’s future energy needs, he feared the impact of the turbines and the associated infrastructure, such as access roads and the connections to the national grid, was too great.

He said: “Securing Britain’s energy future is the defining challenge of our time and one that will require trade-offs.

“When it was first raised, I asked my constituents to give me time consider the evidence, understand the full implications, listen carefully to those affected, and then act according to my conscience and the facts before me.

“I have reached the conclusion that the costs of the Hope Moor project outweigh the benefits, and alternatives should be sought.

“These should include alternative locations for wind but also looking seriously at geothermal opportunities in Durham.

“I am pleased to work cross-party with my constituency neighbour, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, in making that argument and defending a landscape we all cherish.”

Mr Sunak, who said he was delighted to work with Dr Rushworth in opposing the project, said the erection of the turbines and the creation of service roads and construction of associated buildings would lead to a loss of peatland.

“I have supported a lot of work to protect and restore peatland,” he said.

“It is a unique resource of international importance locking up huge volumes of carbon and playing a significant role in water management.

“Healthy peat acts as a natural sponge, absorbing water to reduce flood risk to communities in the lowlands.”

Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group spokesman Suzy Wilson said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this cross-party support from Rishi Sunak and Sam Rushworth, [it] reinforces the message we are receiving loud and clear from local and national supporters that the Hope Moor project is absolutely the wrong development in the wrong place.

“We are committed to saving this landscape of national importance from inappropriate industrialisation.

“With its thriving biodiversity and carbon-locking peatland, this precious landscape is naturally helping our climate and should not be disturbed.”