New government proposals would allow businesses and public sector organisations to install one turbine up to 30m high without submitting a planning application.
Until now, planning regulations and high planning costs have stopped many small wind projects before they began – even where they made clear financial sense. Removing this barrier gives organisations certainty to invest, while keeping strong safeguards to protect landscapes and local communities. Currently, permitted development rights for onshore wind in England apply only to small domestic turbines with strict height and size limits.
The new proposals would extend these rights to non-domestic premises, making it faster and simpler for organisations to generate clean electricity on site where key siting and safety conditions are met.
By removing barriers, the government hopes to help farmers, schools, factories and other groups to access homegrown power to help protect themselves against volatile fossil fuel markets.
The proposal comes as DESNZ announced plans to allow installation of so-called ‘balcony solar’ – PV panels that can be installed vertically, such as on balcony rails.