New UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed her government will lift an “absurd” de-facto ban on new onshore wind development in England.
She announced today (8 July) the immediate removal of two restrictive planning policy tests that have set a higher bar for local consent to onshore wind farms than for other forms of infrastructure development since 2015.
The move will place onshore wind on the same footing as other energy developments in the National Planning Policy Framework, according to energy department DESNZ.
In Reeves’ first major speech since last week’s general election victory, she also pledged to consult on bringing plans for larger onshore wind farms into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime to help overcome local resistance by “taking decisions at a national level”.
To help ease local concerns an update to the Community Benefits Protocol for Onshore Wind is set to be published “shortly”.
The move comes as part of a wider package of planning reforms including a mandatory housing target of 1.5 million new homes by the end of the decade.
Reeves said efforts by previous governments to speed up consent and planning had become a “byword for political timidity” and that newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his cabinet would “make tough decisions” to “end prevarication”.
She added: “We were elected on a mandate to get things done and get Britain building again.
“We have done more in 72 hours to reform the planning system than previous governments have done in 14 years.”
RenewableUK chief executive Dan McGrail welcomed the “long overdue” move and praised the Labour administration for making it one of its first priorities in office.
“This shows the new government is determined to act fact and tackle some of the longstanding barriers which have held the UK back on developing vital clean energy infrastructure.”
Energy UK chief executive Emma Pinchbeck added: “It’s excellent to see the new government prioritise planning reforms as a key enabler for economic growth and enhancing our energy security.
“Unblocking the planning system, removing the de-facto ban to double onshore wind and ensuring adequate resourcing for planning authorities are crucial steps the industry has long been calling for, and a cross-sector view of infrastructure requirements will be essential for the supply chain and skills development.
“The de-facto ban has significantly reduced the pipeline for onshore wind it will take time for this to recover. However, analysis shows that the quicker we build clean energy infrastructure in the UK, the more private sector investment we can unlock, freeing up the public purse, with huge benefits the economy.
“The government’s commitment to delivering on its manifesto promises is fostering the stable and healthy business environment we’ve been advocating for, creating certainty and clarity for business.”
Ripple Energy chief executive Sarah Merrick said the planning reforms signal “a bright new dawn for wind energy” after “dark days of hostility towards development”.
“Onshore wind is pivotal to fighting climate change and central to the UK’s energy transition. It’s clear people up and down the country have driven this shift, and it’s crucial they’re actively involved in and can directly benefit from the new wind farms that will result from it.
“Cooperative-owned energy must be a cornerstone of our renewables strategy as a nation. By empowering people, no matter where they live, to own their own source of clean, low-cost energy, we ensure the economic and environmental benefits of wind power are shared equally.
“This approach only increases public support, and further enhances the resilience and sustainability of our energy infrastructure.”
Andy Fewings, energy and renewables partner at property consultancy Bidwells, noted Reeves’ announcement “removes uncertainty” over onshore wind development in England.
“The de-facto ban for onshore wind has been a barrier to investment and has stifled progress in England. By contrast, the onshore wind sector is booming in Scotland and Wales and is receiving record levels of investment.
“We will be watching closely for further announcements on speeding up the planning process, investing in training and skills to create the workforce needed to deliver net zero and the investment needed in grid and infrastructure to make our GB electricity system fit for the future.”