ENVIRONMENT

Having read a report “Local History regarding Hardcastle Crags” my recollection of events was to convert what is currently Widdop, Gorple and the “Three Ladies” Walshaw Dean into one huge two valley reservoir providing an increased water catchment, a fantastic boating and water sports facilities, wildlife centre and tourist accommodation areas.

As far as I understood other

than Blake Dean there was to be no intrusion into Hardcastle Crags and that the project was an additional attraction for the area. Quite frankly I was not opposed to the 1969 plans submitted. However, the current situation of climate change with heatwaves, water shortages, woodland/moorland fires, constant valley flooding etc. why not do our bit to address all these problems and seriously reconsider the natural solutions such as hydroelectric power? We in Calderdale have a wealth of water supply, so why not put this resource to good use and with little or no disturbance to current amenities help cleanse our environment and provide a long term power supply, water supply and superb social water sports facilities for our future generations.

We all need a good water and power supply but I don’t want to see our moorland landscape covered destroyed with wind farms, solar panels or fracking stations. So let’s reconsider our position. Climate change is here now so now we need to act and plan our future.

Barry Greenwood