Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that longstanding restrictions on onshore wind farms in England will be lifted.
The new Labour Government intend to overhaul the National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF) by the end of July, and in doing so end what was viewed as an 'unofficial ban' on new onshore wind projects.
Footnotes in the NPPF that applied to onshore wind developments only, effectively required developers to provide strong proof that there was no opposition locally to a proposed windfarm. This basically made it impossible to build such developments as there is nearly always some resistance to any building proposal locally.
Labour will remove these footnotes, placing onshore windfarm development on the same level as other types of infrastructure for planning purposes.
They also announced a further step by intending to consult on designating large windfarms as nationally significant infrastructure projects. If windfarm developments were classified as nationally significant then this would mean they could be signed off by the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, without the need for local council involvement.
The announcement has been largely welcomed by energy experts and environmentalists.
Chief Executive of RenewableUK, Dan McGrail, commented: "Public support for onshore wind remains sky-high throughout the UK at 78% according to the latest official polling, as billpayers know that new wind farms provide electricity at very low cost, as well as strengthening our energy security and tackling climate change.
"Polling also shows that most people want to see the planning system reformed, as they’re frustrated that an onshore wind farm proposal which is overwhelmingly popular in a local area can be stopped by just a handful of opponents."
Energy UK’s Chief Executive Emma Pinchbeck, said: "Unblocking the planning system, removing the de-facto ban to double onshore wind and ensuring adequate resourcing for planning authorities are crucial steps the industry has long been calling for, and a cross-sector view of infrastructure requirements will be essential for the supply chain and skills development.
“The Chancellor has recognised the urgency of these decisions to meet our energy security and clean energy targets."
