Government to decide on big onshore wind farms

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband visited a wind turbine factory in Hull to announce changes in the planning process for onshore wind farms.

The minster announced that large-scale developments would now be decided by the government, rather than local councils.

Mr Miliband said the new system was "vital" to help deal with the cost of living, energy security and climate change.

Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho claimed the "rush" to decarbonise the grid would push up electricity prices and "cause more hardship for people across Britain".

Mr Miliband told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that protesters could still make representations against wind farms.

"Of course we will take account of local people," he said.

"But I would say this there are difficult trade offs here and unless we change the way we do things we are going to be left exposed as a country and I'm not prepared to let that happen."

"At the moment we are subject to the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets. We have no control over those markets they're controlled by petro-states and dictators."

Mr Miliband was touring the Siemens Gamesa factory in Hull's Alexandra Dock, which produces turbines for offshore wind farms.

"I do understand the concerns that some local people have about these issues," he said.

"This government will bring in community benefit, including looking at reduced bills for those living near pylons because we think it's right to acknowledge that if communities are hosting that infrastructure, they should benefit from it."

Analysis

Paul Murphy - BBC Look North Environment Correspondent

The Energy Secretary has been keen to point-out that recent polling suggests that people in the UK are strongly in favour of onshore wind turbines.

Even people who live near to them.

But make no mistake, there will be those who are hopping-mad at his announcement.

That's because Mr Miliband is taking away the decision-making process for larger onshore turbine projects from local councils and local people.

And that will worry several places in our area that have fought tooth and nail for twenty years to stop turbines being built.

There have been marches through the streets – one through Beverley urged the government to spare the East Yorkshire Wolds – "Hockney Country" from wind energy.

The old planning system meant that a turbine couldn't be built if one local objector raised their voice.

It didn't feel very democratic.

The new system means one person can give the go ahead to a turbine application – and that's the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

For some communities in the flat and windy expanses of Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire that may not feel very democratic either.

Mr Miliband's announcement has sparked opposition with one Lincolnshire councillor previously describing the change as an "attack on the countryside".

The county council's executive member for economy, environment and strategic planning Colin Davie said he was concerned about the potential impact on the county's agricultural industry.

In 2021, the authority passed a motion saying it would object to all wind turbines, except those on a small scale.

Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch said that people should have a say in where wind turbines will be built, but that some considerations should override that when it comes to nationally significant infrastructure projects.

"I think it's important that local people have a say," she said.

"Obviously, when we have nationally significant infrastructure projects, there are some considerations that need to override that.

"And I think the overall issue is that we need to make sure that people's quality of life and the their personal wellbeing is not unduly impacted by development.

"Of course, we want to make sure that we have more energy security in the country. That is a critical thing to do, and we will support the Government when they're doing sensible things in order to achieve that."

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