Calderdale Lib Dems make call for council to buy Ovenden Moor wind farm

Last year the party was critical of the council’s decision to invest in a petrol station as part of its investment portfolio despite declaring a climate emergency.

In spring 2020, Labour councillor Scott Patient, who has the climate change portfolio, said at a meeting where the issue was raised that it was something that would not be repeated.

Now Liberal Democrat group leader Coun James Baker says there is an opportunity to make a more environmentally friendly purchase.

Coun Baker (Warley) says disinvesting from fossil fuels and instead investing in renewable energy could lead to a more sustainable and profitable future.

“We want the Council to adopt a more entrepreneurial and commercial approach.

“By generating more of an income, we could reduce cuts to front-line services.

“Ovenden Wind Farm has just come on the market, and we should explore the potential of investing capital into the wind farm so all Calderdale residents can benefit from the seven per cent return on the authorities’ investment.

“We believe this would prove to be a more profitable and sustainable alternative to the petrol station that Labour locally decided to invest taxpayers’ money in,” he said.