Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum Trustees have just written to Rochdale Councillors to raise concerns about Cubico’s proposals to present their plans in schools as part of the second stage consultation process.

This is extremely concerning as the trustees say:

We believe it is important that children are not exploited for commercial or political gain. With this in mind, we suggest any Cubico engagement with schools should only happen after the planning application for Scout Moor II Wind Farm has been determined.

They conclude:

We invite the councillor with portfolio for education to work with RMNF, Rossendale Civic Trust (copied) and any other appropriate organisation to ensure the Cubico educational packs contain the appropriate information to best inform children about this planning application and all the issues that must be considered. In doing so you might inspire interest in politics and planning as well as renewable energy.

Given the overwhelming acceptance of the climate emergency in schools we find it difficult to imagine that schools themselves would seek a balanced view. Therefore, the only sensible approach at this stage would be to ban such consultation prior to the decision.

Call to action

If you are similarly concerned we ask that you write to your own councillors and emphasise that this sort of commercial project is completely unsuitable for presentation to children, particularly in a one-sided fashion.

The full letter is available on the RMNF website here:

Scout Moor 2 Consultation