Julian supports the early scrapping of wind farm subsidies and major changes to planning laws
June 18, 2015
Julian has today welcomed two key policy announcements that will radically reduce the chances of wind turbines being constructed around York.
The Energy Secretary, Amber Rudd, today announced that taxpayer funded subsidies for new onshore wind farms will be scrapped from April 2016, a year earlier than planned. Furthermore, Greg Clarke, the Communities Secretary, also announced that from today new planning rules will mean that wind turbines will only be granted planning permission if they have been supported by local people. This will give residents across York the final say over whether onshore wind farm applications get the go-ahead from planning authorities.
Welcoming the two announcements, Julian said “This is fantastic news for all those who care about protecting York’s unique character and setting. As someone who has regularly called on the Government over the past few years to scrap these lucrative taxpayer subsidies, I was delighted when the Prime Minister committed himself to doing just that in our manifesto and even more so now that we are able to deliver on this commitment so soon after the election. This will surely prevent any last minute applications for unwanted wind farms by opportunistic developers.
“Under the previous Labour Council, it was proposed that York should be encircled by up to forty wind farms and I hope today’s announcements will enable the Local Plan to be radically redefined to rule out any such inappropriate development on our greenbelt. We are making sure that local communities are able to have the final say on protecting York’s surrounding countryside for the benefit of future generations and I know today’s good news will be welcomed by many in York Outer.”
Julian also called for greater funding for other less intrusive forms of renewable energy to be debated. Today in the Houses of Commons, he asked “Can we have a debate on the future of constituent forms of renewable energy, such as wave and tidal, and energy storage to future proof our energy network? In asking for this debate can I also wholeheartedly welcome the written statement this morning on the ending of lucrative taxpayer subsidies on onshore windfarms, which are threatening to encircle the city of York.”
Responding to the question, the Leader of the House, Chris Grayling, said “Well Mr Speaker, I am glad that my Honourable Friend is happy with today’s announcement, I share his views about renewable energy and I am very pleased that the scheme in South Wales has been given the go-ahead for tidal power generation. He will of course again next Thursday have the opportunity to raise these issues with the Secretary of State and I hope he will do so.”
