RenewableUK and several charities have responded to the Government’s consultation on how to reform the planning system in relation to onshore wind in England by pointing out that the new proposals “do almost nothing” to remove obstacles.
RenewableUK’s submission to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on its Levelling Up and Regenerations Bill, which includes amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework, stated: “We are highly concerned that the Government is not doing enough to remove the barriers preventing onshore wind from being rapidly deployed and it is our view that the amendments proposed to the National Planning Policy Framework will not enable the deployment of onshore wind in England.”
The submission said there is a “fundamental disconnect” between Governmental net zero ambitions and the practicalities of the National Planning Policy Framework for enabling onshore wind.
“If the Government is serious about its commitment to net zero and security of supply ambitions, then there must be a clear ambition for national deployment targets for onshore wind and a policy framework supportive in place to deliver on these commitments. Without this, it is difficult to see how the proposals will enable any significant difference,” the association stated.
Meanwhile, a group of charities, including Uplift UK, Greenpeace, and WWF UK, led by climate action charity Possible, expressed concern and disappointment, in their response, that the government has only opted for minor changes to the wording that will not allow the expansion of clean energy.
Campaigners are now calling for the government to end the uniquely restrictive planning system which applies to onshore wind, for there to be a taskforce and deployment roadmap for onshore wind, and to ensure all planning policy is aligned with the goal of tackling the climate crisis.
Alethea Warrington, campaigner at climate charity Possible, said: “While the government wastes time tweaking the wording of the virtual ban on onshore wind, households and communities across the UK continue to face unaffordable energy costs – and the escalating impacts of the climate crisis.
“It’s past time to end the ridiculous planning system which makes it easier to open a new coal mine than get new onshore wind in England.
“The government should get on with the job of making the UK’s energy system clean, cheap and secure, and unblock wind.”
Ministers are being asked to reverse two specific measures introduced in 2015 which were designed to stop nearly all new onshore wind projects going ahead in England.
Under the system, no onshore wind farm can go ahead unless the relevant local authority has drawn up a detailed local plan which identifies all areas would be suitable of onshore wind development, which 11% of local authorities have had the time or resources to do.
Also, if just one person objects to an onshore wind farm planning application it can be rejected by the local authority.