The government has just announced a new open consultation on the development of onshore wind in the UK. Read Regen’s response:
See below comments from Regen on the government’s announcement of an open consultation on the relaxation of onshore wind planning regulations as part of wider reforms to national planning policy in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill:
Comment from Merlin Hyman, Chief Executive at Regen:
“Regen is pleased to welcome the government’s consultation on relaxing the planning rules for onshore wind development. Onshore wind has a critical role in accelerating the UK’s path to net zero emissions. Without the current planning barriers, we would have more onshore wind turbines, cheaper power and lower carbon emissions.
Our view is that local ownership and engagement is vital to the success of onshore wind development to ensure communities are not only engaged in the decision-making process but can benefit from wind farms in their local area. We know there is overwhelming public support for renewables and onshore wind, and Regen has long been a strong advocate for local ownership models and shared benefits schemes. We look forward to participating in the consultation and bringing in the voices of our members in the next few weeks.”
Comment from Fraser Stewart, Just Transitions Lead at Regen:
“Onshore wind developments not only help create cleaner, more secure and more affordable energy: they can provide new income for local communities to help tackle fuel poverty, open new social and economic opportunities, support jobs and skills, and enable more people and places to benefit as part of a just net zero transition. In light of the energy and cost-of-living crises, with the right care and attention and communities at heart, more onshore wind can help bring net zero and its considerable benefits closer to people at a time when they need it most.”
For more information and queries, please get in touch with Emma Smith, Regen’s Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, at esmith@regen.co.uk.
Further context:
Earlier this year, in our blog exploring how local authorities can help to get onshore projects of the ground again, we used a graphic which still serves as a stark illustration of the stalled deployment of onshore wind in England in recent years:
