Half onshore wind energy sites blown off course

Nearly half of all applications to build onshore wind energy facilities are rejected, according to an analysis produced for MPs by House of Commons library staff.

The briefing note, “Consents for wind farms – Onshore”, looks at the system for obtaining planning permission for renewable energy sites under the Planning Act of 2008. It shows that despite the previous Labour administration’s commitment to meeting renewable energy targets, many applications were rejected on environmental grounds.