The government commits to launching a technical consultation to
explore how local authorities demonstrate local support and
respond to views of their communities when considering onshore
wind development in England.
Decisions on onshore wind sites will continue to be made at a
local level as these are best made by local representatives who
know their areas best and are democratically accountable to the
local community.
To deliver a more localist approach, and its commitments in the
British Energy Security Strategy, the government will consult on
proposed changes to national planning policy. This follows
positive engagement with MPs.
Under the proposals, planning permission would be dependent on a
project being able to demonstrate local support and appropriately
address any impacts identified by the local community. Local
authorities would also have to demonstrate their support for
certain areas as being suitable for onshore wind, moving away
from rigid requirements for sites to be designated in local
plans.
Today’s announcement builds on previous Government action to make
sure local communities are at the heart of decisions on onshore
wind. Changes introduced in 2016 that made local councils
responsible for onshore wind applications, instead of the
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime, will remain
in place.
The Government will make sure strong environmental protections
first brought in by the Government in 2015 remain, so that valued
landscapes such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural
Beauty and the Green Belt are protected.
The government will also seek views on developing local
partnerships for supportive communities, so that those who wish
to host new onshore wind infrastructure can benefit from doing
so, such as through lower energy bills.
New digital engagement techniques during the planning process
will ensure people across the local community can continue to
make their views known.
The government will also consider how the planning system can
support communities to have a say on the necessary infrastructure
to connect wind farms to the grid and encourage the upgrading of
existing wind farm sites
The government will be inviting views from local authorities,
communities and businesses.
The technical consultation on changes to the National Planning
Policy Framework will be launched by Christmas and concluded by
the end of April 2023.
