Downing Street probably allow new onshore wind projects in England years later of an effective ban, as Grant Shapps pointed out, with ministers give way in in face of growing reserve conservative rebellion.
Shapps, business and energy secretary said he would more onshore wind projects, “where communities in service of this” which would mean the end of de facto blocking on such projects are planned since 2014 rules.
While Shapps sought to present this idea as already suggested by Rishi Sunak, it is not. reversal instead appears to be a direct response to an amendment to a bill introduced by Simon Clark, former alignment up secretarywhat is Labor also expected support
clark, one of growing list of Conservative MPs, including Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, who oppose the ban, introduced an amendment to the equalization up Bill to allow new onshore wind projects in England.
Asked about the issue, Shapps told Sky News: “We already have quite a lot of coastal wind. There will be more, over time, especially where communities in service of It.
“That is, I think key test of Coastal wind is of benefit to local communities? This has always been the principle for us, for quite a long time ago.
Shapps denied government supported down over afraid of losing vote on Clark’s correction. He said “I don’t recognize him in those terms generally. Simon Clark delivered in correction I didn’t explore all the ramifications of for now.
“But this, in essence, says what I just told you for local people have a very, very strong opinion in this is what is indeed government policy. There are always different ways to skin a cat, but we’ll take a closer look at what’s on offer.”
pushed again on was it a forced change of stance, Shapps said, “No, that’s exactly what we’ve been saying all along. Rishi Sunak said last week that where it happens on land, you need to have a local agreement.”
Shapps incorrectly said that Sunak “always” claimed that wind could be generated on the shore. with local consent, adding: “What is proposed [in Clarke’s amendment] this is what would guarantee what. I haven’t explored all the ramifications of what in terms of planning changes to present it as a kind of a huge gap is completely untrue.”
Summer campaign To become Tory leader, where he lost to Liz Truss, Sunak released what he called the Energy Independence Plan, which said: “In recognition of of disaster and destruction that onshore wind farms can often cause Rishi has also promised to break plans loosen the ban on onshore wind farms in An England giving confidence to rural communities.”
The Clark Amendment would oblige government change planning rules within six months before allow new projects.
It is not yet known when the amendments to the bill will be voted on. on. Last week, No. 10 pulled out the scheduled vote after rebellion over planning policy.
Amendment led former cabinet minister Teresa Villiers with support more more than 50 Conservative MPs are seeking to abolish mandatory local housing targets and make them advisory only.
Asked if government was about to turn around prime ministers official the representative said: “You will know there are quite detailed rules around the onshore wind and what is allowed – requires developers consult with communities in promote [of making] planning application. So I’m not going to predict what might happen in in future.
” prime minister spoke in great length about his looks on where is the focus should to be on renewable energy where he talks about building more offshore wind turbines in to improve energy security and also Importance of providing communities support any action government beret on renewable energy sources”.