Wind farms set to expand

WIND FARMS have received a major boost following new guidance issued to local authorities.

Local councils have been requested to “encourage and promote” the development of renewable energy sources, reports the Financial Times.

The paper says the move means wind farms look set to gain access to sites that previously were considered sacrosanct such as national parks. 

The wind power industry has long been lobbying government for a relaxation of planning rules to speed up the planning process which in many cases takes up to 12 months. 

Platts, the international energy information provider, told the paper that current planning restrictions had had delayed more than 2,500MW of proposed green energy capacity. 

But under Planning Policy Statement 22 local authorities will not be able to block or delay renewable energy technologies “without sufficient justification”.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England told the FT that the change in legislation would result in intense pressure for large-scale wind farms.

“The government seems to think the point of consulting people is simply to get them to say ‘yes‘,” said the organisation‘s Andrea Davies.

“But that just won‘t do when cherished local landscapes could be harmed.” 

However, the British Wind Energy Association welcomed the news.   

Chris Tomlinson of the BWEA described the PPS22 legislation as “a vital stepping stone in the renewables revolution” paving the way for more consistent and informed decisions.