Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has welcomed changes introduced by Conservatives today that will give people a much greater say over wind farms in their communities, shifting the balance of power to local communities in deciding whether to agree to onshore wind proposals.
The new planning guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government makes it clear that the need for renewable energy does not automatically override environmental protections and the planning concerns of local communities. It will give greater weight to landscape and visual impact concerns, especially for heritage sites.
Gavin said: “Conservatives are giving people a proper say. Local people and their councils should not feel bullied into accepting proposals they do not want.
“In the past, we have seen a number of applications put forward and there has been a fear that they would be forced on local communities. I am glad that this fear is being put to rest and that local communities will not be forced to have wind farms on doorstep if they do not want them.”
The law will be changed to make consultation with local communities compulsory for the more significant onshore wind projects, before planning permission is applied for. This will guarantee that local people can have their say at an earlier stage in more cases.
Where local councils have identified areas suitable for wind farm projects, they will not be obliged to give planning permission if they think the impact on the local area will be unacceptable.
Households that do choose to allow wind farms to be built in their local area will also receive a generous reduction in their energy, which could help them save up to £400 a year.