Planning For Onshore Wind farms

On 22nd April 2014, the Government issued a House of Commons Library Standard Note setting out issues with the planning process for onshore wind development.

This post is intended to provide a very brief summary only, for further details and access to the full note, please see:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing papers/SN04370/planning-for-onshore-wind-farms

The Note sets out and addresses several issues including:

The inconsistencies in decision making for onshore wind farms, particularly as far as landscape issues are concerned The need for increased community benefit packages and compulsory pre application engagement on wind farms (introduced in December 2013) Clarity on the principle that the need for renewable energy does not automatically override Environmental Protections The fact that communities do not have the ability to 'veto' wind development A section on reasons for refusal of wind development applications is included in the note. This provides information and examples of cases which have been refused over the past 5 years.

Examples listed include:

A 75-metre high wind turbine in Southern Scotland was rejected because of its harm to the setting of a historic hill fort 500 metres away. A proposal for two wind turbines with a hub height of 24 metres close to a racecourse in Somerset was blocked partly due to the adverse effect on the horses.22 A proposal for a turbine with a blade tip of 25 metres in Somerset was rejected because it would affect an air traffic control centre. A proposal to site seven wind turbines in the Grampian foothills has been rejected on the grounds that it would have a significant adverse effect on landscape character and harm visual amenity. The note also includes a section on reasons for acceptance.

Examples listed include:

Two turbines up to 35 metres high were allowed at a farm in the Lincolnshire Wolds area of outstanding beauty on the basis that they would not undermine its character or be seen as dominant features. Permission was granted for 18 wind turbines in south-west Scotland after a reported found...