Eric Pickles announced today that powers he granted to himself in October to call in renewable energy projects would be extended for another year.
In his statement to the House of Commons, the communities secretary lengthened the period in which he can block onshore windfarms, and he also highlighted that under the first six months of the review period “more appeals have been dismissed than approved for more significant turbines”.
Pickles also restated the view that “the need for renewable energy does not automatically override environmental protections and the planning concerns of local communities”.
The move comes as the Conservatives are said to be considering a promise to cap onshore wind developments in their 2015 general election manifesto.
Pickles has, according to Renewable UK, called in 33 wind projects, which represents 93 per cent of all wind energy capacity currently under appeal in England.
Seven of these projects are said to have been refused by the communities secretary, two against the recommendation of the Planning Inspectorate, while only one has been approved.
Maf Smith, Renewable UK’s deputy chief executive, said: “Telling local authorities that they can’t decide on wind applications runs counter to the principles of the Localism Act, and introducing more delays is anti-business.
“The extension is a costly mistake for the UK.”
Dale Vince, founder of green energy company Ecotricity, added: “The decision by Mr Pickles is anti-wind posturing, as all his interventions in the planning process have been so far, and par for the course form this government.”