The government has announced proposals to relax planning rules to make it easier for farmers to install small-scale wind turbines.
This move by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) comes after a sustained campaign by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).
It comes alongside a promise by the government to streamline the planning process and bring forward proposals to cut red tape and speed up applications to better support farm productivity and UK food security.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “For too long, we have faced unnecessary barriers to upgrade infrastructure on farm.
He said this led NFU to work with the government to revise planning policies to include enhanced “permitted development rights” for small-to-medium wind turbines to make it easier for farmers to invest in and benefit from on-farm renewable energy.
The NFU Blueprints for Growth highlights the precedent that was originally set in 2022 when permitted development rights were revised for mobile phone masts of a similar size.
“We are pleased that government has listened and will allow farmers to put up a turbine of up to 30m, no bigger than an oak tree, without having to submit complex planning proposals.
“This will help cut energy costs at a time when margins are extremely tight and provide long-term business resilience so farmers can continue to produce food for the nation alongside their work in protecting and enhancing the environment,” Bradshaw said.
The NFU stated that it will continue to work with the government to help deliver on its mission for growth.
“Our blueprints can help ensure this is achieved, as by following them, the government can lay firm foundations for a sustainable and profitable future,” Bradshaw said.
