First onshore wind farms approved in England since ban was lifted
Three schemes in Yorkshire and Cumbria cleared planning this week; developers say dozens more are waiting
Three onshore wind farms were approved in England this week, the first since the effective ban on new schemes was lifted, with developers saying dozens more applications were in the pipeline.
The projects, in North Yorkshire and Cumbria, will together generate enough electricity for about 90,000 homes. Each had been refused or withdrawn at least once under the previous rules.
Onshore wind is the cheapest source of new power in Britain, but almost none has been built in England since 2015, when planning guidance was changed to allow a single objection to block a scheme.
Local campaigners said they would challenge the approvals. The energy department said the decisions showed “the system is working as intended”.
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