Wind Energy Planning

Friends of the Earth Say Cameron Must Do More for the Environment

Environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth (FOE) has today urged David Cameron to double his efforts on Environmental issues.

The FOE statement follows a call to party leaders for determined action to tackle climate change.

FOE wrote to the three biggest party leaders asking them to show that climate change is a priority in their manifestos and requesting confirmation of actions that will be taken. The letter was signed by over 8000 people. In addition FOE has asked candidate MP’s to sign a pledge to tackle climate change.

Labour & Lib Dems Put Spotlight on Conservative Climate Sceptics

Labour and Liberal Democrat energy representatives Ed Miliband and Simon Hughes joined forces to put Tory climate change sceptics in the spotlight this week.

The ‘green hustings’ event organised by the Guardian featured a debate on climate change and energy between the 3 biggest political parties. The debate can be heard online via the Guardian website.

Conservative Councils’ Poor Wind Farm Record

Conservative Councils refuse more wind farm planning applications than Labour Councils according to figures released this week.

The Figures on wind farm approvals released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change show that Conservative Councils approved 44.7 megawatts (MW) of onshore wind energy schemes whilst Labour Councils approved 68.3 MW. This is despite the Conservatives controlling the majority of rural Council areas where wind farms in England are usually proposed.

Renewable Energy Projects Could be Pre- Judged under New Conservative Policy

Under proposals by the Conservative party, renewable energy projects could be judged as acceptable or unacceptable before local politicians have the project information before them.
According to Bob Neill – Shadow Planning Minister, the Conservatives would allow local politicians who have voiced premature opinions on planning applications the right to vote on the same [...]

How Does the New Conservative Local Powers Policy Affect Renewable Energy?

UK opposition leader, David Cameron recently unveiled the Conservatives new policy on returning powers to local government. In doing so however he proposes taking away much needed funding provided to local authorities through the Housing and Planning Delivery Grant – a grant that rewards councils for ensuring their district plans are up to date.

The Conservatives argue that their policy paper is about more local control over decision making and funding.