Calderdale Energy Park: Brontë Parsonage 'totally opposed' to wind farm proposal
The director of Yorkshire’s Brontë Parsonage has said the group behind the museum is “totally opposed” to plans for the Calderdale Energy Park development.
Located in Haworth and previously home to the prolific family of writers, the Brontë Parsonage Museum is one of the region’s most well known attractions for tourists.
But according to the museum’s director, the proposed Calderdale Energy Park wind farm scheme could put tourist numbers at risk of dropping. The project would see the creation of around 34 wind turbines between Haworth and Hebden Bridge, standing at a maximum height of 200m.
In a statement given to The Yorkshire Post, Rebecca Yorke, director of the Brontë Parsonage Museum, said: “The Brontë Society is totally opposed to Calderdale Energy Park.
“The location is environmentally sensitive, and we believe the development would have a significant and detrimental impact on an iconic local viewpoint and world-renowned landscape.
“People walk the moorland between Haworth and Hebden Bridge for reflection, inspiration and to understand how the natural surroundings influenced the Brontes’ work; it’s a unique place which allows the literary tourist to physically travel through the landscapes of the Brontës’ imaginations and the worlds of their novels and poetry.
“The Museum welcomes over 75,000 visitors each year and for many of them, the walk to Top Withins from Haworth is a form of pilgrimage: the connection between the landscape and literature cannot be ignored.”
Speaking to The Yorkshire Post earlier this year, Christian Egal, project director at Calderdale Energy Park, said he did not believe the windfarm would have a major impact on the number of tourists visiting the site.
Mr Egal said he believed “some people will come back because of the wind farm,” adding “there are many examples where wind farms have attracted people due to curiosity.”
Mr Egal also told The Yorkshire Post he was “absolutely aware” of the sensitivities around the site.
The comments come amid a swathe of opposition to the scheme from environmental groups and MPs.
Developers argue that if given the go ahead, the scheme could generate enough power to fuel around 198,000 homes.
A decision on the scheme will ultimately be made by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.