Relaxed planning for onshore wind welcomed by farming sector

Planning requirements for onshore wind farms have been relaxed by government ministers, which should help streamline the construction process.

The changes should help create faster planning applications and would allow local communities to benefit from lower energy costs as an incentive for more projects to gain local backing.

Very few onshore wind turbines have been built in England since an adjustment was made to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in 2015.

See also: Consult farmers on electricity infrastructure projects, says NFU

Changes have now been implemented following pressure from a number of backbench MPs including the former COP26 president, Sir Alok Sharma.

Michael Gove, secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities, said: “To increase our energy security and develop a cleaner, greener economy, we are introducing new measures to allow local communities to back onshore wind power projects.”

Cautious welcome

The news has been cautiously welcomed by the farming industry with farm businesses able to potentially benefit from reduced energy bills.

However, there is some scepticism, with larger wind farms likely to need significant additional infrastructure in rural areas and disruption for some farm businesses from cable networks.

The NFU has called for more help and investment to create further renewable energy projects on farm in order to help reach net-zero targets.

NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw said: “On-farm wind power can be vital for generating electricity for the farm and local communities, although the current planning process has resulted in only a handful of turbines being installed in recent years.

“Removing the current restriction that a single objection can block a development is one way to help farms become more energy independent.”

Mr Bradshaw added: “While changes to the planning guidance are welcome, the wording still maintains a bias against onshore wind development.

“A revision of Permitted Development rights for small-scale, on-site wind generation is needed, as current rules only allow for very small turbines which may not meet the needs of farm businesses.”