- New changes that come into effect today will help supportive
communities take forward onshore wind projects
- Measures will promote approaches that speed up the planning
process so renewable energy is generated quicker
- Supportive residents able to reap the benefits of cheaper
energy bills
Onshore wind projects supported by local people will be approved
more quickly in England, in new measures being brought forward by
the Government today.
The Government has now streamlined planning rules, meaning local
areas have a greater say in how onshore wind projects should be
considered, ultimately resulting in electricity bill savings and
increased national energy security.
The measures include broadening the ways that suitable locations
can be identified, including by communities, and speeding up the
process of allocating sites by giving alternatives to the local
plan process. This will ensure the whole community has a
say, not just a small number of objectors – paving the way for
more onshore wind projects to come online where they have
community support.
This will mean local policy on onshore wind continues to be
decided by elected local councillors, accountable to local
people, and plans are taken forward where they can demonstrate
local support and address planning impacts identified by the
community.
Communities backing local wind farms could also benefit from
cheaper energy under proposals to incentivise more projects
announced today. The Government has consulted on proposals for
improved benefits and rewards for communities backing onshore
wind farms and will set out next steps this Autumn.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities, said:
“To increase our energy security and develop a cleaner, greener
economy, we are introducing new measures to allow local
communities to back onshore wind power projects.
“This will only apply in areas where developments have community
support, but these changes will help build on Britain’s enormous
success as a global leader in offshore wind, helping us on our
journey to Net Zero.”
Secretary of State for Energy Secretary and Net Zero,
said:
"The Energy Bill is the most significant piece of energy
legislation in a generation and will help us provide a cleaner,
cheaper and more secure energy system for the UK.
“Renewables are a crucial part of our energy transition. They
accounted for just 7% of our electricity generation in 2010, and
almost 48% in the first quarter of this year. The UK is already
home to the world’s four largest offshore wind farms, and we have
invested and made available over £1 billion for Sizewell C - the
first direct state backing of a nuclear project in over 30 years.
"Onshore wind also has a key role to play and these changes will
help speed up the delivery of projects where local communities
want them."
In its response to the consultation, the Government has confirmed
today:
- Communities are able to bring forward proposals for onshore
wind – planning policy will be changed to make clear onshore wind
developments can be identified in several ways rather than
through local plans. This includes through Local Development
Orders and Community Right to Build Orders.
- Councils should consider the views of the whole community,
rather than a small minority, when considering a planning
application. This includes addressing the planning impact of
onshore wind projects as identified by local communities.
Renewable energies fuelled 42% of the UK’s electricity generation
in 2022, up from 7% in 2010. However, the Government knows it
must go further and faster to generate the clean and renewable
energy the country needs.
These changes to the National Planning Policy Framework build on
the progress already made to expand renewables which has seen
more than £120 billion investment since 2010, kickstarting new
industries like floating offshore wind and tidal
power.
The announcement comes as the Energy Bill returns to Parliament,
the most significant piece of energy legislation in a generation.
The Bill will provide a cleaner, more affordable, and more secure
energy system that is fit for the future.
The Government will respond in full to the National Planning
Policy Framework later this year.
