Government response

Planning decisions on windfarms

Communities Minister Kris Hopkins responds to coverage on ministerial decisions on windfarms.

• From: Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and Kris Hopkins
• Published: 11 June 2014

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

In response to coverage on ministerial decisions on windfarms, Communities Minister Kris Hopkins said:

Inappropriately sited wind turbines can be a blot on the landscape, harming the local environment and damaging heritage for miles around. We make no apologies for changing planning guidance to ensure that these issues are properly taken into account. Every appeal is considered with due process on its individual merits, based on the particular circumstances of the case.

Background information

Local council guidance in developing policies for renewable and low carbon energy was published in July 2013.

In April 2014 the government extended for a further 12 months the temporary change made to the criteria relating to planning appeals that ministers consider. The change has been made so that planning ministers can give particular scrutiny to renewable energy developments and consider the extent to which the planning guidance is meeting the government’s intentions.

Published 11 June 2014