Wind Energy Planning

Natural England has this week launched a consultation on new wind energy guidance.  The launch comes further to workshops with wind industry representatives.

Natural England is the government’s advisor on the natural environment.  The organisation says that it recognises climate change is the most significant long-term threat facing the natural environment and that it wants to “play its part” in helping deliver more renewable energy nationally.

The objective of the guidance is to try and make sure “the right sort of development is located in the right places”.  Natual England say “we also hope that the guidance will highlight how environmental concerns can be effectively balanced with development needs and the growing wind energy sector.”  Views and comments on the draft guidance have been invited by the deadline of 2nd September.

Natural England currently has objections to 9 planning applications for wind energy projects and holding objections to a further 11.  This is despite the recognition that rapid uptake in renewable energy is needed to make the UK 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emission target possible by 2050.