In a quiet corner of East Yorkshire, known for its rolling hills and painterly charm, a storm is brewing—not in the skies, but on the ground.
Locals in the village of Rudston are up in arms over plans to install six towering wind turbines near the iconic Woldgate landscape, a place made world-famous by none other than British art legend David Hockney.
A Beloved Landscape with Artistic Roots
Woldgate isn’t just another rural backdrop—it holds cultural weight.
Hockney, now 88, was captivated by the natural beauty of this stretch of countryside near Bridlington and immortalised it in his vibrant landscape paintings.
His series “Woldgate Woods” drew inspiration from this exact area, and one of those works sold for a staggering £9.4 million in New York back in 2016.
So, it’s no surprise that when villagers learned of a new proposal for a wind farm right next to this beloved landscape, they didn’t take it lightly.
Locals Speak Out Against ‘Industrial Invasion’
Among those voicing strong opposition is Rudston resident Robert Booth, 57, who called the idea “unthinkable.”
“How could anyone even consider putting giant industrial machines in a place so treasured, not just by us locals but by art lovers around the world?” he asked.
Retired art teacher Nancy Millar, 74, from nearby Carnaby, echoed the sentiment.
While she supports clean energy, she believes this isn’t the right spot.
“I’m a big advocate for tackling climate change,” she said.
“But surely we can find locations that don’t threaten places of such artistic and natural importance.”
Wind Turbines Set to Stand Nearly 500 Feet Tall
The proposed turbines, which would rise 492 feet high, are the brainchild of Ridge Clean Energy (RCE).
Though formal plans haven’t been submitted yet, residents were recently alerted via leaflets inviting them to public exhibitions in Burton Agnes, Carnaby, and Rudston.
According to RCE, the turbines would be positioned on land south of Woldgate—just beside a newly approved 161-acre solar farm called the Three Oaks Renewable Energy Park.
That solar site got the green light from East Riding County Council in spring 2024.
A Hybrid Energy Hub in the Making
RCE is marketing this wind farm as an extension of the Three Oaks project, with the goal of creating a hybrid energy park that combines wind and solar power.
If approved, the wind turbines would supply up to 25.2 megawatts of renewable energy—enough to power around 24,000 homes annually.
They also promise a £5 million Community Benefit Fund and potential energy discounts for nearby residents.
“The UK wants to be a clean energy leader,” read the company leaflet, “and this project offers secure, reliable energy when it’s needed most.”
Community Worries Go Beyond the View
While the clean energy goal is widely supported, many feel the location is all wrong.
Opponents worry not only about the impact on the scenery but also the broader implications of introducing industrial-scale energy to rural heritage zones.
Locals recall that back in 2012, similar wind farm proposals were rejected due to concerns about interference with RAF radar and damage to the visual landscape.
Even then, over 1,000 people petitioned for the Yorkshire Wolds to be granted protected status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty—something it still hasn’t achieved.
David Hockney Has Strong Words for Turbines
This isn’t the first time Hockney has voiced his distaste for wind farms in the area.
Over a decade ago, he famously called them “big ugly things” and said they were “completely out of scale” with the natural beauty of the countryside.
“I certainly wouldn’t paint them,” he quipped at the time.
To Hockney, and many others, the East Yorkshire coastline and countryside offer understated charm that shouldn’t be compromised.
“People should stand up for themselves,” he urged. “Let politicians know what they think.”
Developers Push Forward While Residents Push Back
Despite the backlash, Ridge Clean Energy says they are eager to engage with the community.
“We’ve been proud to work with local groups on several community projects,” a spokesperson said, citing fuel vouchers and welcome spaces as examples.
“We’re committed to listening and ensuring this project reflects local needs.”
But for many, the sentiment is clear: renewable energy is vital—but not at the cost of destroying something irreplaceable.
What Comes Next?
So far, no official planning application has been submitted.
The coming weeks will feature local exhibitions where residents can learn more and voice their concerns.
Whether these towering turbines ever rise over Woldgate remains to be seen, but for now, the community is standing firm in defense of its treasured landscape.