UK eases planning restrictions on onshore wind projects

The UK Government has announced new measures designed to support the development of onshore wind projects, a move that has garnered a great deal of criticism for not going far enough.

The changes are aimed at speeding up planning processes as well as broadening the way sites are identified for potential projects.

Furthermore, the amendments aim to give locals more of a voice in approving sites, which the government suggests will pave the way for more offshore wind projects being approved.

The amendments are also geared to improve benefits and rewards for communities backing onshore wind farms, with greater clarification being provided this Autumn.

Onshore wind has been the subject of controversy since 2015 when then Prime Minister David Cameron introduced a rule whereby an objection from merely one person over an onshore wind project could stop it from going ahead.

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Industry reaction

The announcement comes as the Energy Bill returns to Parliament for voting and has been hailed by some as a clear indication of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak bowing to political pressure, rather than taking a bold stance in favour of a clean energy future.

RenewableUK's head of onshore wind James Robottom believes that more could have been done. In a message published on the social platform X (formerly Twitter), he stated that the policy changes are merely "a slight softening at the edges and nothing more."

Alethea Warrington, senior campaigner at climate charity Possible, said: “The minor changes
announced today are nowhere close to enough to unblock wind.

“It is extremely disappointing that, after months of dithering, the government is pandering to the backwards views of a few backbenchers rather than listening to people across the UK who are desperate for clean, cheap and secure energy..."

Jess Ralston, energy analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) provided more positive commentary: “More British onshore wind could help to reduce bills...It’s also a no-brainer for Government as onshore wind is popular with the public. Around three-quarters of people support new onshore wind farms in their area, including Conservative voters, and say they would be proud of their local MP for backing a new wind farm, which politicians may want to bear in mind with an election looming.

“Lifting the ban also sends a message that the Government is serious about ensuring that the benefits of cheaper renewables can be maximised, which is sensible given the alternative, gas, is expected to stay 2-3 times higher than pre-crisis levels for the foreseeable future.”

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove commented in a statement: " "We hope that this will mean sites are identified more quickly, speeding up the process of allocating sites for onshore wind projects, and ultimately, and as a consequence more clean and renewable energy is generated sooner."