/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/46E7Q73S4NJARJH27PE4D73MSE.jpg){kind=small}
[ad_1]
LONDON, Dec 6 (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government said on Tuesday it would ease restrictions on building offshore wind farms, prompting a revolt by lawmakers in his party who demanded they be approved with local support.
Sunak had opposed easing the ban on onshore farms in his campaign to become British leader just months ago, saying he wanted to focus on offshore wind.
But some in his Conservative Party are demanding that onshore turbines be allowed where there is local consent, and said they would try to change the proposed legislation as it moves through parliament.
The government said in a statement that it would launch a consultation to see how local authorities could demonstrate local support.
“Under the proposals, planning permission will be dependent on projects demonstrating local support and being able to appropriately address any impacts identified by the local community,” the statement said.
“Local authorities will also have to show their support for some areas as being suitable for onshore wind, moving away from the strict requirements of sites designated in local plans.”
The government said the consultation, which will also seek views on whether local communities supporting the new projects should receive lower energy bills, will start from Christmas and finish by the end of April next year.
It said certain areas, such as national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty, would still be protected.
“Really pleased to see a sensible agreement reached this evening which will enable onshore wind to be delivered while accommodating the important principle of community consent,” Conservative MLA Simon Clarke, who has been leading calls for change, said on Twitter.
British media said it was the second U-turn in two days by Sunac, who has been in power for just over a month, coming after the government scrapped plans to impose mandatory housebuilding targets on local councils after dozens of Conservative lawmakers threatened to revolt.
Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Mark Porter and Grant McCool
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
[ad_2]
Source link
