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Onshore wind falling foul of the planners

Posted: 06/03/2007

A staggering two thirds of planning applications for onshore wind farms are being refused. A recent study by BWEA shows that decision makers are not responding to the environmental challenge. Since the publication of the Stern Report in October 2006, BWEA says that 12 of 18 decisions for onshore wind farms have been refused – giving an average approval rate of just 33%.

Even worse, where the Planning Inspectorate was called in to adjudicate, the performance dropped even further with just 2 out of 7 decisions being positive – an average of 28%. This compares to an average approval rate of 76% for other major applications, such as offices, dwellings and retail.

At a time when climate change and energy security are apparently now top of the political agenda, and certainly at the top of the public agenda, the discrepancy between the rhetoric and actual decisions on carbon free energy projects is growing ever larger, say BWEA.

And it is not just poor decisions that are jeopardising the UK renewables future: planning delays are seriously affecting confidence in the sector. Onshore wind projects that could generate 6% of UK total electricity supplies are currently in limbo at various stages in the planning system, some for more than 5 years.

Maria McCaffery of BWEA commented, "The planning process has been a thorn in the side of the UK wind industry as we strive to meet the Government's 10% renewable energy target by 2010. We have proven as an industry that we can deliver on a large scale, here and now, but this momentum can only be maintained with more timely and consistent decision making in the UK. Climate change is now at the top of the public agenda - it is time for governments to respond with more resource, commitment and monitoring and enforcement of the planning system to better reflect the urgency of action needed."

The group is calling for provision of a clear national planning statement by the Government which makes their position clear in relation to the various issues relevant to wind energy, in order to promote consistency in decision making and to prevent numerous non-planning issues being rethought at one inquiry after another.

Until now there’s been a failure to recognise the overriding importance of climate change when considering new developments. BWEA say decision makers must embrace the spirit of planning guidance and make sure that cutting emissions becomes a top priority. Communities need to participate fully in the planning process to ensure we all contribute to delivering solutions.

2007 is the year which determines whether the Government’s 10% renewable energy target by 2010 can be met: for projects to contribute to the target, consents must be awarded by the end of 2007 in order for the industry to build by 2010

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