We know that the Hope Moor Wind Farm proposal is of significant interest and concern to people who live, work and spend time in and around the Yorkshire Dales.
While the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is not responsible for deciding whether the project proceeds, we recognise the importance of keeping local communities informed throughout the process.
The applicant has a website dedicated to the proposal and this is being regularly updated. This is the primary source of official information and updates on the project. This webpage aims to bring together the latest available information, explains the role of the National Park Authority, highlights opportunities for public involvement, and provides answers to frequently asked questions. Our aim is to help people understand the project and stay up to date as it progresses.
What this means for you
Hope Moor Wind Farm is still at an early stage. If you live, work, visit or run a business in or around the Yorkshire Dales, there will be opportunities to comment on the proposals before a decision is made. This page explains the process, the National Park Authority’s role and how you can stay informed
The Hope Moor Wind Farm Proposal – Background
Fred. Olsen Renewables Ltd is developing proposals for Hope Moor Wind Farm, a new onshore wind farm located between Barnard Castle and Richmond, outside of but close to the north-eastern boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The proposed development could include up to 23 wind turbines with a tip height of up to 200m and generating over 150MW of energy.
The site location is shown on the map below.
In July 2025, the Secretary of State confirmed that Hope Moor would be treated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). This means the project will not be determined through the normal local planning process. Instead, consent would be granted through a Development Consent Order (DCO) issued by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is not the decision-making body for this proposal. The Planning Inspectorate will independently examine the application and make recommendations to the Secretary of State, who will decide whether to grant a Development Consent Order.
However, the National Park Authority are also classed as a consultation body by the Secretary of State, which must be consulted throughout the NSIP process.
Finally, the National Park Authority’s role is to assess and comment on potential effects on the National Park and its special qualities. The Authority will have the opportunity to give its view on whether consent should be granted or not, but that will come towards the end of the process after it is consulted on the final proposals. The final decision rests with the Secretary of State.
The Hope Moor Wind Farm Proposal – Current position
1. Pre-application stage
As of July 2026, the project is currently in the ‘pre-application’ stage and Fred. Olsen Renewables Ltd. carried out the first stage of a public consultation (known as ‘stage one’) through May and June. You can find details of the stage one consultation on the Hope Moors Wind Farm website here: Home | Welcome to Hope Moor.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has provided a detailed response to the stage one consultation, which you can read in full here. As this document is necessarily technical, we have also provided a summary below. The summary explains our main observations, concerns and comments in plain English to help make our response easier to understand.
2. Environmental statement submission
As part of the NSIP process, the applicant (Fred. Olsen Renewables Ltd) must prepare and submit an Environmental Statement. This document will assess the likely significant environmental effects of the proposed development.
To inform this work, the applicant has submitted a Scoping Report to the Planning Inspectorate. The Scoping Report seeks agreement on the environmental topics and level of detail that should be included within the Environmental Statement. The project documents can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate website, here: Documents | Hope Moor Wind Farm.
The National Park Authority was consulted by the Planning Inspectorate on the Scoping Report in June and the Authority’s response to the applicant’s Scoping Report can be viewed here: YDNPA Scoping Response. Again, as this document is necessarily technical, we have also provided a summary below.
3. The Hope Moor Wind Farm proposal – what happens next?
Hope Moor Wind Farm remains at the pre-application stage. Before any application is submitted, Fred. Olsen Renewables Ltd will continue its environmental studies and prepare an Environmental Statement assessing the likely impacts of the proposal.
The developer is expected to carry out further consultation as the project develops. This will provide additional opportunities for local residents, businesses, community groups, visitors and organisations to review the emerging proposals and provide feedback.
Once the developer has completed its studies and consultation work, it may submit an application for development consent to the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate will then decide whether the application can proceed to examination.
If accepted, the application will be examined by an independent panel of inspectors. During this stage, members of the public and interested organisations can make representations and participate in the examination process.
Following the examination, the Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, who will make the final decision on whether the project should proceed.
Timeline
- Stage One Consultation – Completed (May–June 2026)
- Environmental studies and assessments – Ongoing
- Further consultation on proposal and Environmental Statement expected late 2026
- Application submitted to the Planning Inspectorate
- Examination of the application
- Recommendation to the Secretary of State
- Final decision by the Secretary of State
Having your say
The NSIP process provides opportunities for members of the public, community groups and organisations to comment on proposals and make representations.
The Planning Inspectorate has published guidance explaining how people can become involved, read it here: Have your say guide – Have your say about a national infrastructure project
Keeping you updated
We’ll update this page regularly with FAQs and progress from our perspective, helping to keep you informed alongside information provided by those involved in the decision-making process.
Should you wish to contact us directly about this project, please email planning@yorkshiredales.org.uk with the subject matter ‘Hope Moor Wind Farm’.
Frequently asked questions
Who decides whether the wind farm goes ahead?
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority does not decide whether the Hope Moor Wind Farm proceeds. The project is being considered as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means the decision will be made by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Before a decision is made, the application will be examined by the Planning Inspectorate, which will consider the evidence, consultation responses and representations received from interested parties before making a recommendation to the Secretary of State.
Is the wind farm inside the National Park?
No. The proposed Hope Moor Wind Farm site is located outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park, between Barnard Castle and Richmond, but close to the Park’s north-eastern boundary. The site straddles the boundary between Durham County Council and North Yorkshire Council, and both Councils have been consulted.
Although the proposed development is outside the National Park, developments beyond its boundary can still affect the National Park’s landscape, views, tranquillity, dark skies, wildlife, heritage and other special qualities. For this reason, the
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is involved in the consultation process as a statutory consultee.
How far away will the wind farm be visible?
The proposed turbines could be visible from extensive parts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, particularly from higher ground and some long-distance viewpoints. The turbines are proposed to be up to 200 metres high and located close to the National Park’s north-eastern boundary.
How visible they would be depends on factors such as distance, topography, weather conditions and the location of the viewer. The National Park Authority has asked for a wider and more detailed assessment of landscape and visual impacts, including views into, out of and across the National Park, and the cumulative effects of other proposed wind energy developments in the area. Visualisations and further information are expected to be provided as the project develops and additional assessments are completed.
Can I object to or support the proposal?
Yes. The Hope Moor Wind Farm proposal is subject to a process that includes opportunities for individuals, businesses, community groups and organisations to submit their views. Whether you support, object to, or have comments on the proposal, you can make representations directly through the relevant consultation and examination processes.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority does not collect or submit comments on behalf of members of the public. If you would like your views to be taken into account, you should submit them directly to the developer during consultations or to the Planning Inspectorate during any future examination of the application.
Information about opportunities to comment will be published by the developer and the Planning Inspectorate. We will also signpost relevant consultations and participation opportunities on this webpage as the project progresses.
When will a decision be made?
There is currently no date for a final decision on the Hope Moor Wind Farm proposal. As of July 2026, the project is still at the pre-application stage and no application for development consent has been submitted.
Before a decision can be made, the developer must complete further environmental assessments, consultation and application preparation. If an application is submitted, it will first be considered by the Planning Inspectorate, which will examine the proposal and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. The Secretary of State will make the final decision on whether the project should proceed. We will update this webpage as key milestones are reached and more information becomes available.
Why is the National Park Authority involved if the wind farm is outside the National Park?
The proposed Hope Moor Wind Farm site is located outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park. However, developments beyond the National Park boundary can still have effects on the National Park and its special qualities. These may include impacts on landscape and views, tranquillity, dark skies, wildlife, heritage and the experience of people who live in, work in or visit the National Park.
Because of the potential for these effects, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is a statutory consultee for the project. This means we are required to provide advice and comment on matters that may affect the National Park throughout the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) process.
Our role is to help ensure that the potential effects on the National Park are properly assessed and understood before any decision is made. The final decision on whether the proposal goes ahead will be made by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Does the National Park Authority support or oppose the proposal?
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has not yet made a decision whether to support or object to the Hope Moor Wind Farm proposal. As the project is still at the pre-application stage, our focus has been on reviewing the information available and identifying where further assessment is needed.
In our responses to the stage one consultation and the Environmental Impact Assessment scoping process, we have raised concerns about the potential effects of the proposal on the National Park’s special qualities, including its landscapes, views, tranquillity, dark skies, wildlife, heritage and visitor economy. We have also asked for additional evidence and assessment to help understand these potential impacts.
Our role as a statutory consultee is to provide independent advice on matters that could affect the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The final decision on whether the proposal should proceed will be made by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, following examination by the Planning Inspectorate.
What are the National Park Authority’s main concerns?
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority recognises the important role that renewable energy can play in tackling climate change. However, based on the information provided so far, we have identified several issues that we believe require further assessment before any application can be properly considered. Our main concerns relate to the potential effects of the proposed development on:
- Landscape and views, including views into, out of and across the National Park.
- Tranquillity, remoteness and sense of place, which are among the special qualities of the Yorkshire Dales.
- Dark skies, including the potential impact of turbine and aviation lighting on the Yorkshire Dales International Dark Sky Reserve.
- Wildlife and habitats, including birds, bats, peatland and moorland habitats.
- Heritage and archaeology, including the setting of historic features and landscapes.
- Tourism and the local economy, particularly where visitor experiences are linked to landscape, tranquillity and dark skies.
At this stage, our role is not to decide whether the proposal should or should not proceed. Instead, we are seeking to ensure that the potential effects on the National Park and its special qualities are properly assessed and understood before any decision is made.
How will I be kept informed?
The applicant has a website dedicated to the proposal and this is being regularly updated. This is the primary source of official information and updates on the project. We aim to keep this webpage updated as the project progresses, including publishing information about key milestones, consultation opportunities and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s involvement in the process. We will also provide links to relevant documents and information published by the developer, the Planning Inspectorate and other organisations involved in the project, where appropriate. If further public consultation or opportunities to participate in the examination process become available, we will signpost these on this webpage.
YDNPA Response – Stage One Consultation – Summary
This response focused on the proposal. We set out our concerns about the potential effects on the Yorkshire Dales National Park and explained the additional assessment and evidence we believe will be needed as the project progresses. In it, we recognise the importance of renewable energy and the need to tackle climate change. However, based on the information provided so far, we are concerned that the proposed Hope Moor Wind Farm could have significant impacts on the Yorkshire Dales National Park and its special qualities. We have therefore asked the developer to carry out a wider and more detailed assessment of these impacts before any application is submitted.
Landscape and Views
The proposed turbines would be up to 200 metres high and located close to the National Park boundary. We are concerned that they could have a significant effect on views into, out of and across the Yorkshire Dales, particularly from high ground and some of the Park’s most valued viewpoints. We have asked for a much wider assessment of landscape impacts, including the combined effect of Hope Moor and other nearby wind energy proposals.
Tranquillity and Sense of Place
People value the Yorkshire Dales for its peaceful, remote and unspoilt character. We are concerned that the scale and visibility of the turbines could affect the sense of tranquillity, remoteness and natural beauty that many residents and visitors associate with the National Park.
Dark Skies
The Yorkshire Dales is an International Dark Sky Reserve. We are concerned about the potential impact of turbine lighting and other associated lighting on dark skies, wildlife and the experience of visitors who come to enjoy the area’s night skies. We have asked for a detailed assessment of these effects and for all possible measures to reduce lighting impacts to be explored.
Wildlife and Nature
The Yorkshire Dales contains nationally and internationally important habitats and species. We have asked for a comprehensive assessment of how the proposal could affect wildlife, including birds, bats, moorland habitats and peatland, both within and beyond the development site.
Heritage and Archaeology
The landscape around the proposed site contains important archaeological remains and historic landscapes that extend across administrative boundaries. We have asked for a thorough assessment of how the development could affect the setting, significance and understanding of these historic features.
Tourism and Local Businesses
Tourism is a vital part of the Yorkshire Dales economy. We are concerned that the project’s effects on landscape, views, tranquillity and dark skies could influence visitor experiences and potentially affect businesses that depend on tourism. We have asked for these impacts to be assessed in much greater detail.
What We’re Asking For
At this stage, we are not deciding whether to support or object to the Hope Moor Wind Farm proposal. Instead, we are asking the developer to ensure that the full range of potential impacts on the National Park are properly assessed and understood. Only then can the Planning Inspectorate and Secretary of State make an informed decision on the proposal.
YDNPA Response – Scoping Report Response – Summary
This response focused on the Environmental Impact Assessment process. We told the Planning Inspectorate where we believed further assessment was needed and highlighted issues that we felt should not be excluded from future environmental studies. We raised concerns that some important issues affecting the National Park have either not been considered in enough detail or are proposed to be left out of future assessment. We have asked for a broader and more comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts on the Yorkshire Dales before any application is submitted.
Landscape, Views and the Experience of the Yorkshire Dales
We are concerned that the proposed assessment does not fully reflect the scale of the turbines or their potential visibility across large parts of the Yorkshire Dales.
In particular, we do not think enough attention has been given to how the development could affect the National Park’s special qualities, including its scenery, expansive views, tranquillity, remoteness and sense of wildness. We have asked for a wider assessment area and for impacts from important viewpoints, walking routes and high ground across the Dales to be properly considered. We have also asked for the combined effects of Hope Moor and other proposed wind farms to be assessed.
Dark Skies
The Yorkshire Dales is an International Dark Sky Reserve, and dark skies are one of the National Park’s recognised special qualities. We believe the impact of aviation lighting and other lighting associated with the wind farm deserves a dedicated assessment rather than being treated simply as a landscape issue. We have asked for detailed work to examine effects on night skies, wildlife, visitor experiences and the Dark Sky Reserve’s core and buffer areas.
Heritage and Archaeology
The area around the proposed wind farm contains important archaeological sites, historic landscapes and heritage assets that do not stop at administrative boundaries.
We have asked for heritage assessments to look beyond the development site itself and consider the wider historic landscape, including impacts on archaeological remains, important viewpoints, conservation areas and the setting of heritage features within the National Park.
Wildlife and Nature
We are concerned that the proposed assessment does not fully consider how wildlife and habitats within the National Park could be affected. In particular, we have asked for more detailed work on habitats such as blanket bog, which extends across the wider landscape and plays an important role in storing carbon. We have also objected to proposals to exclude some species groups, such as reptiles and invertebrates, from further assessment at this stage.
Birds and the Impact of Lighting
We have asked for further assessment of the potential effects on birds and other species, particularly the impact of turbine lighting. We also want the developer to consider the combined impact of Hope Moor alongside other nearby wind farm proposals, especially where bird populations could be affected by several developments operating together.
Tourism and the Local Economy
Tourism is a vital part of the Yorkshire Dales economy, supporting local businesses, jobs and communities. The developer suggested that socio-economic impacts should not form part of the Environmental Impact Assessment. We disagree. We believe the potential effects on visitor experiences, tourism businesses, visitor spending and the wider economy should be fully assessed because they are closely linked to changes in landscape, views, tranquillity and dark skies.
What We Are Asking For
Our response does not determine whether the project should or should not go ahead. Instead, we are asking for a more thorough assessment of the potential effects on the Yorkshire Dales National Park, its special qualities, its wildlife, heritage, dark skies and local communities. We believe these issues must be properly understood before any future application can be fairly examined and a decision made.