The CPRE insists it is not ant-turbine but wants ministers to ensure there is a locally accountable but strategically planned approach to wind farm development as well as firm rules over decommissioning sites.
A report published today by CPRE highlights what it calls “exponential growth” in turbines proposed, highlighting projects in north east England, Cornwall and Northamptonshire.
Shaun Spiers, CPRE chief executive, says: “CPRE accepts onshore wind in the right places as part of the mix required to meet the UK’s carbon reduction targets, but we are seeing more and more giant turbines sited in inappropriate locations.
“Communities feel increasingly powerless in the face of speculative applications from big, well-funded developers, and this risks undermining public support for the measures needed to tackle climate change.”
However Friend of the Earth has claimed that two-thirds of the UK public supports wind energy. The pressure group’s head of campaigns Andrew Pendleton said: “Wind turbines should always be sensitively sited, but one of the biggest threats to our countryside is climate change – and this is exactly what wind power can help defeat.
“It’s time to stop tilting at windmills and get on with the urgent task of building a clean British energy industry that will boost our economy, create jobs and save us all money.”