David Davis pleased with new planning laws for wind farms, but urges Government to go further

In response to news that the Government will introduce new planning guidelines to give local communities  more influence over applications to build wind farms, Rt Hon David Davis MP has said:

“These new planning laws are a shot in the arm for local communities in the East Riding.  Time after time the council has rejected applications for unsightly wind farms, only to have their decision overruled.  Many councils across Britain have been afraid to reject wind farms because it costs so much if they lose on appeal. 

It is absolutely right that the views of local people take priority over national targets.  These new rules will protect our communities and countryside.  Any wind farms that are built should benefit those who live nearby, so I welcome plans to give communities cheaper energy bills if they allow wind farms in their area.  Communities should have had these basic rights from the start, but the new rules are better late than never.

The Government now needs to go further and make the new planning rules retrospective for projects early in the planning pipeline.  Almost 6,000 wind turbines are awaiting construction or planning permission, and communities with objections to those schemes should be able to make their voices heard before it’s too late.”

As reported in The Hull Daily Mail;

“Residents and councils have been given more power to halt the construction of wind farms after the Government announced new guidelines.

The changes mean residents’ concerns will take precedence over national renewable energy targets and have more influence over wind farm applications. More weight will also be given to the impact of turbines on landscape and heritage.

Haltemprice and Howden MP David Davis, who supported the changes, said: “These new planning laws are a shot in the arm for local communities in the East Riding.

“Time after time, the council has rejected applications for unsightly wind farms, only to have their decision overruled.

“Many councils across Britain have been afraid to reject wind farms because it costs so much if they lose on appeal.”