They were accused of 'ruining people's lives'...but what do people think now?

Before the marchers set off to the top of the moor they were addressed by TV star and environmentalist Dr David Bellamy.

"Windfarms are weapons of mass destruction," he told the 400-strong crowd. "They ruin people's lives, destroy the countryside and harm wildlife.

"It beggar's belief that certain members of the green movement have bought into it. People just don't want them."

READ MORE: It started with a community in uproar and ended with the landscape changing forever, but now this saga has a new chapter

Dr Bellamy was speaking more than 20 years ago at a protest against £50m plans to build England's biggest onshore windfarm at Scout Moor, on the hills above Rochdale and Bury. Developers United Utilities and Peel Holdings said the 26, 100m high turbines, would provide clean for energy for thousands of homes.

But the late Dr Bellamy and the marchers were adamant the damage to the unspoilt moor and harm to wildlife wasn't a worthwhile trade. And they weren't alone.

There was widespread and significant opposition to the plans. Rochdale, Rossendale and Lancashire councils all submitted formal objections, while of hundreds of people signed petitions and attended public meetings. But ultimately their efforts failed.

Following a long, drawn-out planning process, the developers won, the turbines were built and the landscape changed forever. Now, more than two decades after the plans were first raised, developers are coming back for more.

Cubico Sustainable Investments wants to almost double the size of the windfarm, by adding another 21 turbines. It says that Scout Moor II, as the proposal has been dubbed, would create England's biggest windfarm and could generate enough clean electricity to power over 100,000 homes.

We now have a greater awareness of the climate crisis and wind turbine technology has improved significantly since the early 2000s. But for many of the original protesters the passage of time hasn't changed their views.

Jane Gartside, a former councillor in Rochdale said: "There are lots of people who accept they are there. They're just a fact of life.

"But I'm against the expansion just like I was against the original plans. Now these new ones are much bigger. It will be overwhelming."

Christine McHugh, of Rochdale-based horticultural group Norden In Bloom, said: "The new turbines are bigger, so how deep are they going to have to dig? All that peat is going to have to come out and then there's the roads that will have to be built.

"I just don't think it's that eco-friendly. There are a lot of questions to be asked."

The expansion plans come after the new Labour government lifted a de facto ban on new onshore windfarms that had been in place since 2015. The move was warmly welcomed by many environmental groups.

Mike Childs, the head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said: "In April, research by Friends of the Earth found that utilising less than 3% of land in England for onshore wind and solar could produce 13 times more clean energy that now generated – enough to power all households in England twice over. By harnessing the country's vast renewable power potential, the new government is staking its claim as a global leader in the green energy transition."

But many local campaigners remain unconvinced. Nigel Morrell, chair of Norden Area Forum, said Scout Moor II's effect on the landscape would be 'seismic'.

He added: "It is difficult at this early stage to assess the effects of this scheme. However the intention of the developers is clear. They are seeing to push ahead with the largest onshore wind farm in the country, using turbines which are far larger than existing ones spread over a far larger footprint than the present scheme.

"The effect on the landscape and built heritage is likely to be seismic. Cubico's stated commitment to consult widely and thoroughly is welcome. However, there are real concerns that, even at this early stage that a number of residents and groups with concerns, throughout the area, have not received the initial communications concerning these proposals, which would allow them to engage in the process.

"In common with all large projects of this type the devil will be in the detail. Until the specifics of footprint, positioning of turbines, community wealth funds, peatland restoration, and provision for the commoners, have been resolved it is difficult for anyone to reach conclusions about the benefits, or otherwise, of this proposal."

Others, though, have a different take. John Pinder runs the long-standing butty van in the lay-by on Edenfield Road, opposite the main path up to the windfarm.

He said: "I love them. I don't like nuclear power and I don't think the turbines look that bad on the skyline. I'm all for for it.

"A lot of people go up there just to look at them or sit up there and read a book. But there are a lot of NIMBYs - they just don't want it in their area. But you've got to move with the times."

Ellen Bell, assistant manager at Owd Betts pub, is equally positive. "They bring people up here," she said. "We get people from all over who come to walk up to the turbines and then they come in here.

"I think they look beautiful when they're turning. It's good for us and it's good for the environment."

A few yards away Terry, of Edenfield, is parked up waiting for his sandwich order. He said: "Where we live you can only see two of the turbines. They've been there nearly 20 years now and we've never had any noise, that I've heard.

"There was a lot of fuss when they first went up, but it soon died down. I wouldn't want one in my back garden, but I don't think there's any real local animosity to them."

James Pinney, head of Northern Europe at Cubico, added: "We're excited about the opportunity for Scout Moor II to play a key role in helping the UK achieve its net zero ambitions and enhance the North West's position as a national hub for clean energy generation.

“As we progress, we’re looking forward to engaging with local communities and ensuring their participation helps shape a project that leaves positive social, economic and environmental benefits for all."