KEIGHLEY Trades Union Council discussed the recent article in both the Keighley News and national newspapers regarding the scoping proposal for planning permission to be sought from Calderdale Council for 65 giant wind turbines – to be built close to Top Withens, 'Wuthering Heights' – at its January delegate meeting.

After discussion, our conclusion is that whilst the move towards renewable energy sources is correct, this cannot be to the detriment of the environment in a place world famous for its natural beauty – also that large projects such as this proposal should be funded from public not private finance, where the profit motive can override ecological sense.

The building of the proposed 65 wind turbines on land where there is no existing access will inevitably lead to large-scale destruction of peat and sphagnum moss which presently retains carbon, which will inevitably be released thus cancelling out the carbon savings from the wind turbines.

Whist the proposal is for Calderdale Council to consider, many other stakeholders are impacted. The nearby National Trust property at Hardcastle Crags has objected and will refuse permission for the developers to use access roads on its land, and Bradford Council objects on the basis of the cultural and ecological damage which would destroy any chance of Bronte Country being recognised as a World Heritage site.

As trade unionists we are aware that the proposal would result in employment, however the overall increase in employment we believe would in fact be small due to the reduction in the number of tourists visiting the area.

For these reasons our delegates will raise this issue at both a national and regional level and within our affiliated unions and add our trade union voice to local opposition groups.

Dave Towers, secretary, KTUC