Wind Energy Planning

The leaders of East Riding and the Isle of Wight Councils have responded angrily to comments made by John Prescott about UK wind farm decision making last week.

At the first ‘Age of Stupid awards’ the former Deputy Prime Minister spoke out against people who oppose wind turbines being constructed near their homes and the planning committees who take action in response to their lobbying. Prescott is concerned about the number of recent decisions to refuse permission for new projects to generate renewable energy “Stupid planning committee in Bedford, stupid planning committee in the Isle of Wight – I hope they get upset about it. We have to counteract the NIMBYs who say they want change but not in their backyard.”

Despite the East Riding of Yorkshire being well positioned for wind energy, Councillors have refused a number of the wind farms proposals in their area. Council Leader Stephen Parnaby said “I think Mr Prescott’s comments are a bit rich. “It’s typical of this Government backing off from its responsibilities…the energy of the country should be dealt with at a national level and the blame should not be passed on to local authorities.”

East Riding believe they have met their 2010 targets although the wind farms have yet to be built and there are higher targets for 2020 to start working towards.

In a similar style Isle of Wight Council leader David Pugh returned John Prescott’s criticism. Cllr Pugh said: “I am aware Mr Prescott arrived on the Island recently to have a few drinks during Cowes Week.

“It is a pity he did not venture beyond Cowes and actually discover the outstanding natural beauty of the Island, much of which is protected by national designations against inappropriate planning proposals.”

The Council leader shrugged off Mr Prescott’s comments as ‘ill informed’ and said that the one turbine application turned down on the Island had been done in what it believed to be consistent with government guidance.

National government guidance says that wind farms should not be precluded in any area of the UK. If the turbines are likely to cause significant adverse effects on protected landscapes such as areas of outstanding natural beauty, it needs to be demonstrated that the benefits justify any harm. As a symbol of the potential for UK wind turbine manufacturing, a good case could have been made for the single turbine in the protected landscape on the Isle of Wight being compliant with government guidance.

Council leaders are sending out mixed messages with some wanting the government to make renewable energy decisions and others saying the decisions should be made by locally elected politicians.