The de facto ban on onshore wind has been scrapped as part of a range of planning reforms unveiled by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to boost growth.
The energy industry says onshore wind is one of the cheapest forms of new power, can be built quickly and reduces dependence on expensive gas, contributing to efforts to cut climate emissions. Energy UK’s chief executive Emma Pinchbeck, said: “It’s excellent to see the new Government prioritise planning reforms as a key enabler for economic growth and enhancing our energy security.
Industry body RenewableUK’s chief executive Dan McGrail said: “Lifting the onshore wind ban in England was long overdue and we’re delighted that Labour has made this one of its first priorities in office. And he said modern turbines were more efficient and powerful than wind farms built in previous decades, so doubling onshore wind would not mean twice as many across the British countryside.