Julian Smith has welcomed new measures announced by the Government that will see the law changed to give local communities the final say over planning decisions for new onshore wind farms.
Wind turbines will only get the go-ahead if the local community has made it clear they support onshore wind projects in their area. They will be free to decide where turbines should go and any proposals must address the concerns of local people and have their backing.
In addition, the law will be changed to end billpayer subsidies for new onshore wind farms from April 2016. This will ensure that we meet our renewable energy commitments in a way that protects taxpayers and keeps bills low for working people.
Julian commented:
"For too long our communities were powerless to stop wind farm developments that they objected to from going ahead. I’m pleased that the Government has listened to the concerns of communities like ours and has brought forward proposals so quickly to put local communities in charge of wind farm applications. It is right that only those schemes that have the support of local people across Skipton and Ripon can go ahead.
"We are also stopping billpayer subsidies for new onshore wind farms so that energy bills are kept down. I have campaigned hard for both of these decisions and I am glad we are delivering on our manifesto commitments so soon after the election.
"This is part of our plan to give power back to communities and local people so that they can decide and determine the future of their areas and not be forced to accept decisions imposed on them."
