Sir Edward Leigh has welcomed new measures announced by the Government that will see the law changed to give local communities the final say over planning decisions for new onshore wind farms. 

Sir Edward has been a key campaigner against unsuitable wind farms in his Gainsborough Constituency, which is one of the most sparsely populated and rural in the country, taking in the whole of the West Lindsey district and the market town of Wragby with a number of surrounding villages.

Under the government’s plans wind turbines will only get the go-ahead if the local community has made it clear they support onshore wind projects in their area. They will be free to decide where turbines should go and any proposals must address the concerns of local people and have their backing. 

In addition, the law will be changed to end billpayer subsidies for new onshore wind farms from April 2016.  This will ensure that the UK meets our renewable energy commitments in a way that protects taxpayers and keeps bills low for working people. Sir Edward commented:

“For too long our communities have feared they were powerless to stop wind farm developments that they objected to from going ahead. 

“Thanks to the Conservatives this will now change. Delivering on our manifesto commitment, local communities like ours here in West Lindsey will now have the final say over planning applications for onshore wind turbines which will ensure only those schemes that have the support of local people can go ahead. And we are stopping billpayer subsidies for new onshore wind farms so that energy bills are kept down.

“This is part of our plan to give power back to communities and local people so that they can decide and determine the future of their areas – not be forced to accept decisions imposed on them.”

The planning application for wind turbines at Hemswell Cliff (128940), which is currently being appealed by the applicant, is currently awaiting determination by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Rt Hon Greg Clark MP. It is anticipated that his decision will be made on or before Thursday, 30th July following the decision being delayed from being made by Tuesday, 30th June.