New UK government lifts 'absurd' ban on onshore wind

The new UK Labour government under prime minister Keir Starmer has removed the ban on onshore wind, which was implemented in 2015.

The ban, which applied to onshore wind only, was caused by footnotes 57 and 58 in paragraph 163 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The footnotes provided strict policy tests that were interpreted to mean any opposition to a proposal deemed the proposal unacceptable.

The policy statement published by the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero stated: "These policy tests no longer apply. The removal of these tests from planning policy means that onshore wind applications will be treated in the same way as other energy development proposals."

In her first speech as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves committed to addressing the "difficult economic inheritance this government faces". She also committed to taking immediate action to boost economic growth.

Said Reeves: "...As of today, we are ending the absurd ban on new onshore wind in England. We will also go further and consult on bringing onshore wind back into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime, meaning decisions on large developments will be taken nationally not locally.

"...we will give priority to energy projects in the system to ensure they make swift progress…"

The response from industry was unsurprisingly positive, with the likes of Octopus Energy CEO Greg Jackson emphasising the ban prevented communities from benefitting from cheaper power.

Vattenfall's head of UK Onshore Development, Frank Elsworth, said: “Immediately removing the de facto ban on onshore wind in England is a clear sign the new government intends to accelerate the energy transition. We look forward to seeing their wider proposals in the National Planning Policy Framework later this month, but should also remember that speeding up consent processes and committing to securing enough capacity through the annual Contracts for Difference auctions are also necessary."

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Charles Richardson, head of the landed estate practice and partner in the private client team at law firm Kingsley Napley, told Propertywire that Reeves' announcement will be music to the ears of landowners who want to invest in renewables projects, but were held back by previous regulation.

Richardson emphasized that landowners would require clarification on tax issues and that they need to be mindful of community opposition before taking on any big projects.