Government makes immediate amendments to NPPF to scrap de facto ban on onshore wind
In one of its first decisions as an administration, Keir Starmer's Government has removed a "de facto ban" on onshore wind by placing onshore wind on the same footing as other energy developments in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The change was implemented today (8 July) in a policy statement issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and HM Treasury, which removed footnotes 57 and 58 to paragraph 163 of the NPPF.
Previously, the NPPF included two tests set out in the two footnotes that applied only to onshore wind. Together, they said that development could only be considered acceptable:
- In areas either allocated in a development plan or through Local Development Orders, Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders.
- With the narrow exception of proposals brought forward by Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders, where the proposal has proved community support.
The policy statement said: "These policy tests no longer apply. The removal of these tests from planning policy means that onshore wind applications will be treated in the same way as other energy development proposals."
The changes take effect immediately, according to the statement.
The Government will confirm its position to Parliament on 18 July, following the state opening. The changes will also be reflected in the forthcoming update to the NPPF.
Commenting on its wider plans to amend the NPPF, the statement added: "Through that update we will go further and set our proposals for wider changes to support renewable energy development.
"Alongside this we will consult on bringing large onshore proposals into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime, to support quick determination, followed by a revised National Policy Statement.
"Local communities will play an essential part in delivering this mission and we will empower them to participate in decisions on local infrastructure.
"Communities should rightly benefit from hosting local renewable energy infrastructure and that is why we will shortly publish an update to the Community Benefits Protocol for Onshore Wind in England."
The policy statement comes as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, listed a series of planning reforms in a speech today (8 July), including building 1.5m homes, re-introducing mandatory housing targets and delivering 300 additional planning officers.
She also detailed how the Levelling Up Secretary plans to approach 'called in' planning applications.
Adam Carey
