The proposed site for seven huge wind turbines on Denshaw Moor (Saddleworth, England) is home to more than 200 archaeological remains, with many more still waiting to be discovered. Saddleworth Archaeological Trust has registered an objection to the windfarm application which will be discussed at a public meeting. An in-depth report has already been submitted to the borough planning department by honourary secretary of the trust David Chadderton, who claims that the area is an important archaeological site.
     In the report, Mr Chadderton says that there are 200 known Mesolithic sites in the proposed wind turbine area and there are definitely many more that have not yet been discovered. Ken Booth, Trustee of the Saddleworth Archaeological Trust, said: "We do not oppose all wind farms but we do object when they are going to destroy archaeological landscapes."
     Several Bronze Age working tools, including a ceremonial flint dagger, have been found virtually underneath one of the proposed turbines and it is believed that there is a Roman road running across the site. In the current 1996 adopted Unitary Development Plan, the council states that it will not permit a development proposal "where there is evidence to suggest that the site may contain archaeological remains".
     Cllr Ken Hulme has been an active campaigner against the wind farm since day one and said he believes the outcome will be positive. "I feel very confident about this," he said. "We can't preserve our environment by destroying it. More than 1,000 letters of objection have been registered, the council cannot impose something that the village overwhelmingly doesn't want."

Source: Oldhan Advertiser (14 February 2004)