The developers of Calderdale Windfarm are delaying submission of their proposals to the Planning Inspectorate by eight months to the delight of campaigners who feel increasingly confident they can win.

Plans to install 34 wind turbines, each up to a height of 200m, on Walshaw Moor, between Hebden Bridge and Haworth, the village associated with the Bronte sisters, have sparked massive opposition.

Large parts of Walshaw Moor are blanket bog which Natural England describes as "among the most important habitat England has to offer".

Calderdale Wind Farm Ltd had been due to submit an application for a development consent order this month, but this has now been pushed back to next July.

Great Edge above Widdop Reservoir, one of the moorland areas which could be affected by the turbine plan. Picture: Save Walshaw Moor campaign group.

placeholder image — Great Edge above Widdop Reservoir, one of the moorland areas which could be affected by the turbine plan. Picture: Save Walshaw Moor campaign group.

On its website the developer said the revised timeline "will allow further assessments and survey work to be completed and the project design to be finalised".

Since its launch, the scheme has attracted criticism from MPs and national and local campaign groups, who argue that the project risks damaging important peatland and local wildlife.

The proposed scheme would be located on an area which is protected as a Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation and Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Calderdale Windfarm Action Group claimed the changes to the timetable is a result of CWFL recognising that "their peat landslide hazard and risk assessment was wrong".

They added: "Close examination of their own photographs shows ongoing instability".

On their Facebook page, the group added: "Haworth with Stanbury village council now hold a strong legal position because they say the wind farm was designed and consulted on the false basis of Crow Hill being stable since 1824 and CWFL have now admitted to the council that the bog bursts are ongoing."

They claim that the proposal as it stands could "be snuffed out in a morning in court" even if Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh - who will ultimately make the decision - gives her consent.

Developers say the wind farm could generate around 240MW of clean, renewable electricity – enough to power 198,000 homes.

Project director Christian Egal previously told The Yorkshire Post they had “thought carefully” about the impact of development on the moorland. He said: “We recognise that people will have a range of perspectives, and all feedback received will play an important role in informing the final proposals.”