The UK government should amend legislation to bring onshore wind back into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) system as soon as possible, according to a National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) review.
Since planning decisions on onshore wind were returned to local authorities in 2016 – alongside tighter restrictions in the National Planning Policy Framework – the number of installations in England have decreased by more than 80%, the “Delivering net zero, climate resilience and growth” report noted.
NIC calculates its recommendations could ensure that consenting for major projects would be completed within two and a half years, compared to the current average of more than four years, and reduce the likelihood of legal challenge by ensuring better outcomes for the environment and local communities.
For some schemes, consenting could be reduced to two years due to more strategic management of environmental impacts.
The Offshore Wind Package includes trialling a more strategic approach to environmental mitigation, and NIC has called for this to be adopted across other sectors so that environmental data is gathered at a habitat level rather than on a scheme-by-scheme basis.
The current system of Environmental Impact Assessments and Strategic Environmental Assessments does not always enable consistent monitoring and enforcement of mitigations, and the review proposes that government develop a new system of strategic guidance for scheme level assessments by the end of 2025, including a library of effective mitigations from which schemes can select.
The review stresses any such solution must remain “fully compliant with international environmental obligations and be monitored effectively by a central body”.
The report stated: “Improving the speed of the planning system for major infrastructure does not need to come at the expense of good decisions which take communities and the environment into account.”
The review also recommends local communities are offered more tangible direct benefits for hosting infrastructure that supports national objectives.
A menu of benefits for hosting major schemes might include proximity based payments for households or funding for local projects, for example.
RenewableUK’s head of onshore wind James Robottom said: “As the NIC suggests, classifying larger onshore wind applications as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, alongside essential reforms to local planning frameworks, would help to speed up the lengthy planning process and enable us to build vital new clean energy infrastructure faster, cutting bills for consumers and strengthening Britain’s energy security.”