Labour lifts Tories' 'absurd' ban on onshore windfarms [View all]
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/08/labour-lifts-ban-onshore-windfarms-planning-policy
Labour lifts Tories absurd ban on onshore windfarms
Rachel Reeves says she will revise planning policy and decisions should be taken nationally, not locally
Helena Horton, Environment reporter
Mon 8 Jul 2024 07.14 EDT
The de facto ban on new onshore windfarms has been dropped by the Labour government, to the delight of environmentalists and energy experts.
The ban was caused by two footnotes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the rules that govern the building of homes and infrastructure.
These footnotes applied only to onshore wind, and no other type of infrastructure, and required such strong proof that there was no opposition locally that they made building turbines impossible, given there is nearly always some local resistance to any building proposal.
In Labours new draft NPPF, these footnotes have been deleted in their entirety, meaning onshore wind projects are now on an even footing with all other forms of infrastructure. The change, which comes into force immediately, will be confirmed to parliament on 18 July after the Commons resumes sitting.
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