Just five planning applications for new onshore wind farms of 1MW and above have been made in England since the government pledged last year to give local communities “the final say”.
The figure was revealed in Parliament during DECC oral questions in the House of Commons.
Energy minister Andrea Leadsom said 64 applications for 1MW-plus onshore wind farms had been made across the UK since 18 June last year.
Leadsom said the small number of English onshore wind applications reflected Communities Secretary Greg Clark’s written ministerial statement, which said that onshore wind applications should only be approved if they have the backing of affected local communities.
“I expect onshore wind farms, if communities want them, will be able to deploy as the costs have come down very significantly,” she said.
“We expect that, where local communities want them, they will be able to deploy without billpayer subsidy.”
Image: Andrea Leadsom (DECC)
