Friday, 22 November 2024
Home Topics Politics Elections 74% back rapid overturning of de facto ban for new onshore wind after UK election
ElectionsElectricityLegislationNewsPoliticsWind

74% back rapid overturning of de facto ban for new onshore wind after UK election

42
Majority support rapid moves to overturn onshore wind ban (Tom Leese/PA)
Majority support rapid moves to overturn onshore wind ban (Tom Leese/PA)

Nearly three-quarters of people support lifting the de facto ban on new onshore wind farms within weeks of the election, polling has suggested.

Green campaigners have long criticised the effective ban on new onshore wind developments in England, introduced under David Cameron in 2015 in rules that stopped schemes going ahead if there were any objections.

Changes were announced by the Conservative Government last year to make it easier to build onshore wind warms, but critics said the moves were not enough to unblock the planning system for the clean power technology.

Labour has said it will overturn the ban within weeks if it comes to power after the election.

The energy industry says onshore wind is one of the cheapest forms of new power, can be built quickly and reduces dependence on expensive gas, contributing to efforts to cut climate emissions.

Polling by Savanta for climate charity Possible found 74% of those quizzed supported the rapid overturning of the effective ban on onshore wind, because it was good for the climate, would bring down energy bills, or both.

Just 11% opposed such a move, the survey of more than 2,300 people found.

There was clear support among those planning to vote Conservative in the General Election, with 70% backing it compared with 19% opposed, and a majority of those who intend to vote for Reform (58%) were also in favour, compared with 24% who were against it.

Higher levels of support were seen among those planning to vote for other parties next Thursday.

Alethea Warrington, senior campaigner at climate charity Possible, said: “Onshore wind is an overwhelmingly popular form of energy because it’s good for our energy bills and for the climate.

“This polling shows that the public wants the next government to unleash this clean energy revolution as soon as the election is over.

“The public can see this will bring down bills while cutting carbon and strengthening our energy security.

“It’s time to empower local people to race ahead on powering their communities with this clean, cheap energy.”

Related Articles

FILE - A jogger runs in front of the Phillips 66 refinery, July 16, 2014, in the Wilmington area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
CourtsEmissionsEnvironmentLegislationOilRegulations

Oil company Phillips 66 faces federal charges related to alleged Clean Water Act violations

Phillips 66 indicted for Clean Water Act violations, accused of dumping oily...

FILE PHOTO: Exxon Mobil’s new headquarters are seen under construction in Georgetown, Guyana, February 18, 2024. REUTERS/Sabrina Valle/File Photo
BusinessCarbon ManagementNatural GasOil

Exxon Mobil pulls out of talks with Guyana over shallow water oil block

Exxon exits Guyana talks on shallow-water block S8, citing plans for carbon...

FILE PHOTO: A general view of Northvolt facility in Skelleftea, Sweden is seen in this undated handout photo. Northvolt/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
BusinessElectric Vehicles (EVs)Semiconductor

Sweden’s Northvolt files for bankruptcy, in blow to Europe’s EV ambitions

Northvolt files for U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy, seeking to restructure $5.8B debt...

Two scientists say a Newfoundland company's possible detour to data is a signal that Canadian hopes of supplying Germany with green hydrogen may not be anchored in reality. A hydrogen storage tank sits at Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park as Dubai, United Arab Emirates hosts the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit, Dec. 11, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Joshua A. Bickel
AnalysisBusinessElectricityHydrogenInfrastructureTransmissionWind

As N.L. firm pivots, scientists say Canada’s green hydrogen dreams are far-fetched

Doubts grow over Atlantic Canada’s green hydrogen plans as experts question costs,...

Login into your Account

Please login to like, dislike or bookmark this article.