Plans to erect six 492-foot wind turbines in the Yorkshire Wolds near Burton Agnes have ignited strong opposition from local villagers, who argue the development will mar a landscape famously depicted by the late artist David Hockney. The proposed site is part of the Three Oaks Renewable Energy Park, which also includes an approved solar farm and battery storage.
Developers Ridge Clean Energy submitted the proposal last month, shortly before Hockney's death. Residents and local officials contend that the turbines would irrevocably damage the scenic beauty of Woldgate, a rural area that inspired numerous works by the Bradford-born painter. Hockney, who passed away at 88, had previously expressed disapproval of wind turbines in the region, calling them "big ugly things."
Local councillor Denise Howard stated that Hockney would have been "heartbroken" by the turbine plans, emphasizing that Woldgate is a recognizable and internationally celebrated landscape crucial to the area's tourism economy. "We support renewable energy in the right place, but this is certainly not the right place," Howard said.
The proposal includes six wind turbines and a 300-foot meteorological mast within a 5.4-hectare area, along with associated infrastructure like underground cabling and access tracks. Ridge Clean Energy asserts in its planning statement that the turbines would not have a "significant adverse effect" and could be "accommodated within the host landscape." The company estimates the turbines would generate enough power for approximately 24,000 UK households annually and represent a "significant contribution" to the nation's green energy targets. This project is one of the largest onshore wind proposals in the UK following the lifting of a ban in 2024, with the government aiming to double onshore wind capacity by 2030.
However, critics like retired art teacher Nancy Millar argue that the placement is inappropriate, stating, "The battle against climate change doesn't have to be a war on culture." She highlighted the recent loss of Hockney and the irreplaceable nature of his depictions of the landscape, suggesting alternative sites exist that have not been immortalized by the artist. Millar noted that the area is still seeking Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status.
Ridge Clean Energy has offered a community benefit fund of approximately £126,000 per year for the project's 40-year operational life. Rob Booth, a member of the campaign group Keep Wind Off Woldgate, expressed dismay at the developer's claims, citing an East Riding Council pre-application assessment that concluded the wind farm would cause "harm to the landscape, heritage assets and living conditions," with such harms "significantly and demonstrably outweigh[ing] the benefits."
The developer plans to combine the wind turbines with a 161-acre solar farm, which received approval in Spring 2024, to "offset emissions" and contribute to net-zero targets. Richard Barker, project manager for Ridge Clean Energy, stated that noise reports indicate compliance with UK Government guidelines, acknowledging potential localized impacts but stressing the importance of renewable energy delivery. If approved, construction could begin in early 2028 and take approximately eight months.