Government Proposes NPPF Changes to Support Green Energy (2024)
The Government's latest consultation on proposed planning reforms and changes to the National Planning Policy Framework seek to support green energy and address environmental concerns.
The consultation document is titled “Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system”, which was published on 30th July 2024.
These changes could significantly impact developers and landowners across England, particularly those involved in renewable energy projects.
Let's dive into the key proposals and their potential implications.
Boosting Renewable Energy
The Government has set an ambitious goal of reaching zero carbon electricity generation by 2030.
This target underpins many of the proposed changes, aimed at increasing support for renewable energy schemes and streamlining the planning process for such projects.
Onshore Wind: A Major Planning Policy Shift
Removal of Restrictive Policies
One of the most significant proposals is the removal of footnotes 57 and 58 from paragraph 163 of the existing NPPF. These footnotes placed additional tests on onshore wind schemes, effectively creating a very high bar for consent.
Their removal could mean:
Significantly easier approval processes for onshore wind projects
Increased opportunities for developers in areas previously off-limits
Potential for more widespread onshore wind development across England
Reintegration into NSIP Regime
The consultation proposes bringing large onshore wind projects back into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime.
This could result in:
Streamlined approval processes for large-scale wind farms
Greater certainty for developers of major projects
Potential for faster delivery of significant renewable energy capacity
Solar Power: Raising the Bar
The consultation proposes increasing the threshold at which solar projects are considered Nationally Significant from 50MW to 150MW.
This change could lead to:
More medium-sized solar projects going through local planning processes
Reduced costs and timelines for projects between 50MW and 150MW
Potentially faster deployment of solar capacity across the country
Strengthening Support in the NPPF
The consultation proposes amendments to the NPPF to give greater weight to the benefits of renewable and low carbon energy generation.
Key changes include:
Directing decision-makers to give significant weight to renewable energy benefits
Setting stronger expectations for local authorities to identify sites for renewable development
Implications for Developers and Landowners
Increased Development Opportunities
Many of these changes aim to boost renewable energy deployment and make it easier for projects to come forward. This could create new opportunities for developers and landowners, particularly:
In areas previously restricted for onshore wind development
For medium-sized solar projects between 50MW and 150MW
On sites identified by local authorities for renewable development
Balancing Environmental Concerns
While the proposals strongly support renewable energy, they also acknowledge the need to balance this with other environmental considerations. Developers and landowners should be aware that:
Proposals in sensitive areas (e.g., peatlands) may face additional scrutiny
High-quality environmental assessments will remain crucial
Compensatory mechanisms may be required in some cases
Need for Strategic Approach
To take advantage of these changes, developers and landowners should:
Review their land holdings for potential renewable energy sites
Consider the optimal scale for projects given the proposed NSIP thresholds
Engage early with local authorities on potential site allocations
Prepare high-quality proposals that align with national policy objectives
Climate Change and Flood Risk
The consultation also seeks views on how planning policy can better address climate change mitigation and adaptation, including managing flood risk.
While specific proposals are not outlined, this signals a potential for:
Increased emphasis on climate resilience in development proposals
Possible changes to flood risk assessment requirements
Opportunities for innovative climate-adaptive designs
Agricultural Land Considerations
The consultation proposes removing recently added text about considering the availability of agricultural land for food production. This could:
Simplify decision-making processes for developments on agricultural land
Potentially increase opportunities for renewable energy projects on such land
Safeguards for high-quality agricultural land would remain
Water Infrastructure
The consultation proposes changes to bring more water infrastructure projects into the NSIP regime, including:
Projects for intermittent peak water supplies during droughts
Water recycling infrastructure
Infrastructure for transferring treated drinking water
Final Thoughts on the Proposed Renewable Energy Changes in the NPPF
These proposed changes represent a significant shift in planning policy, aimed at boosting renewable energy deployment and addressing climate change concerns.
While they offer potential opportunities for developers and landowners in the renewable energy sector, they also bring new considerations and potential challenges.
It's important to note that these are currently proposals open for consultation. The final policy changes may differ based on feedback received. Developers and landowners should closely monitor the progress of these reforms and be prepared to adapt their strategies accordingly.
As always, early engagement with local authorities, careful site selection, and high-quality proposals that balance renewable energy benefits with other environmental considerations will be key to navigating the evolving planning landscape successfully.
Does you land have potential for renewable energy? contact our planners to discuss further !!
