Comment
Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy: Unlocking England’s wind power potential
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published the Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy[1], which seeks to boost deployment of onshore wind and deliver benefits for local communities, British businesses and the consumer. The strategy includes 42 ‘Actions’ aimed at resolving current blockers to onshore wind deployment, particularly in England. In this article experts from our Planning and Net Zero Infrastructure teams explore the key planning and consenting related actions, what impact these may have and where more needs to be done.
Drawing upon the recommendations of the Onshore Wind Taskforce, established in July 2024, the Strategy sets out 42 ‘Actions’ across six ‘Policy Themes’ to resolve the key blockers to onshore wind in the UK and to achieve the target of 27 to 29GW of onshore wind established by the Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan[2] (‘CP30’). It focuses on practical actions for industry and Government to overcome the challenges to delivering this ambition within the next five years and boosting the UK’s energy security – which the Government has identified as a core component of our wider national security[3].
Aligning with the first step in delivering an onshore wind project, Theme 1 covers ‘Site Selection, Preparation and Consenting’, reflecting on the challenges faced by developers in obtaining the necessary planning consents and building upon the commitments to improving planning and consenting in CP30. Providing a streamlined consenting process is therefore identified as “a critical priority for the Government to ensure we achieve our 2030 Mission and wider decarbonisation objectives” (page 22)[4]. Whilst the Strategy has a UK-wide remit, it acknowledges that the core priority is to enhance deployment in England specifically, where important steps have already been taken to achieve its goals, including the removal of the de-facto ban (through the July 2024 Policy Statement[5] and subsequent amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework[6] (NPPF) in December 2024), as well as the introduction of legislation to reintroduce onshore wind (over 100MW) into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects Development Consent Order regime.
There are nine actions within Theme 1, below we explore some of these in more detail.
Action 2: The Government will scope a Data Tool to support the identification of suitable sites for onshore wind and facilitate better transparency and engagement when assessing those sites – expected in December 2025[7]
The Strategy recognises that onshore wind developers have a mature approach to the use of data when identifying potential sites, and this action is focused on providing Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), statutory consultees and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) with access to this, offering them the tools to identify likely areas of development and thus to plan accordingly. The Strategy does not specify whether the Data Tool will have a UK-wide or England-only geographic reach, therefore we await further details.
We fully support the need for transparency and open access to data, and it is encouraging to see reference to engagement with industry sources – industry input is essential to allow the Data Tool to be meaningful and accurate, capturing all relevant factors in determining viable sites.
It will be interesting to see how the Data Tool aligns with NESO’s approach to Regional Energy Strategic Planning, as well as through Local Development Plan making – particularly in respect of the encouragement to LPAs in England under Paragraph 165(b) of the NPPF to “consider identifying suitable areas for renewable and low carbon energy sources, and supporting infrastructure, where this would help secure their development” when preparing Local Plans.
We recognise that this Data Tool could help to improve the accuracy of defining ‘suitable areas’ in Local Plans, but more detail is needed to have confidence that it will account for the myriad of technical and commercial principles that underpin site selection and to avoid defining sites / areas that are unsuited to development.
As we have commented before[8], in our opinion, identifying ‘suitable areas’ in Local Plans can be overly restrictive and can unhelpfully set an expectation that development won’t or shouldn’t happen outside these areas. Furthermore, once fixed, the boundaries of such areas are incapable of being amended to reflect the evolution of existing technology or the emergence of new technologies without a formal local plan review. Lessons on this can also be drawn from Wales, where 'pre-assessed' areas were identified through the National Development Framework (Future Wales: the national plan 2040[9]) – these areas were heavily challenged by industry, and from our experience, in practice most projects are actually coming forward outside the areas identified. This is because constraints and their challenges evolve due to technological evolution and risk perspectives.
In our view, it would be more appropriate to allow applications for renewable and low carbon energy to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, drawing upon the information available from the Data Tool, relative to the benefits versus identified impacts. An outcome-driven, rather than data-driven, policy approach, focused on delivering the greatest level of contributions to energy security, climate mitigation and other socio-economic and environmental benefits, would be a more appropriate direction.
Action 4: The Government will re-introduce onshore wind to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime with an updated threshold of 100MW[10]
This is for projects in England , effective from 31 December 2025. This will include provisions to opt-in to the Development Consent Order consenting route (via Section 35 of the Planning Act 2008) for those schemes below 100MW, or to opt-out if there is a preference for local decision-making via the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA). Both measures seek to ensure flexibility in the planning system, allowing developers to request that projects are consented through the most appropriate route that is best suited to individual projects and sites.
The reintroduction of onshore wind to the NSIP regime is welcomed, however, it remains to be seen how impactful this will be. The availability of sites in England that would be capable of hosting a scheme of 100MW or more is widely recognised to be limited, reflecting the higher level of proximity to residential receptors in England, as opposed to Scotland for example .
The proposed flexibility to opt-in and out of the NSIP regime is welcomed and allows developers to adopt the most appropriate consenting regime for their individual schemes, recognising that the 100MW threshold is not a fixed parameter for determining a project of ‘national significance’. It will be interesting to see how the Secretary of State applies a level of consistency in making decisions on applications to opt-in and out of the NSIP regime – we look forward to further detail on this in due course. Similarly, for those schemes which are below (or just over 100MW), the greater costs of delivering a NSIP / DCO project (vs. a TCPA scheme) have the potential to be prohibitive – as was seen with solar schemes under the existing NSIP regime, where only larger schemes tended to proceed via this route.
Action 5: The Government will launch a consultation on permitted development rights (PDR) for onshore wind[11]
Expected by the end of 2025, this will seek views on whether the existing permitted development right (PDR) definition is fit for purpose and explore other forms of small-scale onshore wind deployment, including in relation to community-owned onshore wind, to support the decarbonisation of agriculture or other forms of heavy industry, or to consider onshore wind repowering and replacement.
Existing PDR[12] for stand-alone or building-mounted onshore wind turbines only apply to those installed on or in the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or a block of flats and have not been updated since they were introduced in 2011. This therefore excludes commercial and agricultural uses from the decarbonisation and energy security benefits brought about by investment in onshore wind technology.
We therefore welcome the Government’s commitment to consultation on amended PDR for small-scale onshore wind projects, albeit clarity on the scale and restrictions are needed, ensuring these align with the evolutions in technology. Supporting the deployment of small-scale onshore wind is an important component of the wider strategy, enabling local communities and individuals to benefit from renewable energy generation and complementing larger commercial-scale projects. The Strategy does not specify whether the revised PDR will have a UK-wide or England-only geographic reach, therefore we await further details.
Action 6: The Government will signal the availability of longer-term operational consent timelines for onshore wind and flexibility in the commencement of the development period, for projects consented under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990[13]
This is expected in autumn 2025 through amendments to Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).
This proposed flexibility is welcomed and recognises the construction and operational requirements of onshore wind development, aligning with the advancements in technology. We look forward to seeing more detail on this but would encourage the Government not to prescribe an operational lifespan or a commencement period but allow this to be considered on a project-by-project basis, reflective of site constraints and technological specifications.
Alongside these changes, we advocate for prioritising planning applications for onshore wind (and other renewable and low carbon energy generation and associated projects) for decision-making – ensuring that this vital infrastructure is delivered in a timely manner. Without this, we risk the CP30 targets being missed if projects remain stuck in the planning system and unable to be delivered.
Action 7: The Government will update planning policy and guidance that is used throughout the planning system[14]
This includes designating the updated National Policy Statements (NPS) for Energy Infrastructure by the end of 2025 and updating PPG in autumn 2025. It also includes a commitment to review and where necessary update other guidance relevant to decision making, including that relating to Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment (learning from Scottish guidance), Heritage (to be led by Historic England), Ornithology (to be led by Natural England and RSBS) and Noise (updating ETSU-R-97). A delivery timeline of spring 2026 has been established for this.
We welcome the Government’s commitment to updating relevant policy relating to onshore wind, ensuring that decision-makers are afforded the tools to best determine planning applications reflecting the latest understanding.
However, we would have liked to see more from Government on introducing policy parity between the NSIP regime and TCPA regime. NSIP projects benefit from ‘Critical National Priority’ status, defined in the NPS for Energy Infrastructure, which establishes a presumption in favour of consent, encouraging the decision-maker to positively apply the planning balance towards benefits outweighing harms. In contrast, projects proceeding under the TCPA regime do not benefit from the same level of policy support – whilst paragraph 168a) of the NPPF requires LPAs to give “significant weight to the benefits associated with renewable and low carbon energy generation and the proposal’s contribution to a net zero future”, this is not equivalent to the level of policy backing established by the NPS’s. In our view, it is counterintuitive for the Critical National Priority status to only apply to NSIPs and not applications within the TCPA regime – all projects, regardless of size, will contribute to achieving the CP30 targets. Indeed, some projects may just fall short of the 100MW threshold, due to grid capacity or land availability constraints (including due to residential proximity) – their contribution should not be lost through the absence of policy support. Without policy parity and the benefit of the Critical National Priority status there is a danger that LPAs may buckle under local objection.
In updating specialist guidance relating to the assessment of onshore wind projects, we would also like to see an acknowledgement from Government that the threshold of acceptability of adverse impacts / harm needs to reflect the urgent need to deliver onshore wind (and other renewable and low carbon energy infrastructure) and that the benefits (both in terms of climate change and energy security) should ordinarily outweigh harms. This is necessary if the CP30 targets are truly to be achieved and must acknowledge the advancements and evolution of technology in the last decade which means that larger turbines are more efficient. Overall, the guidance should also recognise that these projects are temporary, with the majority of harms being reversible but the benefits being long-term and significant.
Action 8: The Government will provide training and resource support to LPAs and statutory consultees in assessing applications[15]
This will include increasing the workforce in key departments/organisations, expanding cost-recovery mechanisms and developing a bespoke onshore wind training package, working with the Planning Advisory Service, Royal Town Planning Institute, Local Government Association and Planning Inspectorate. A delivery timeline of spring 2026 has been established for this.
Resourcing decision-making bodies and consultees is essential and we welcome the Government’s commitment to creating an increased workforce (albeit 300 new planners to serve the planning system as a whole will not be enough!) as well as training and skills development specific to onshore wind – we encourage the Government to engage with a range of industry bodies, developers and consultants to support the upskilling agenda. Further detail is needed on the proposed cost-recovery mechanisms, which fundamentally must be ringfenced to the delivery of planning functions and not divested to other services to be truly effective.
Action 9: The Government will deliver planning policy guidance to support the repowering and lifetime extension of existing sites[16]
This is expected to be addressed through updates to PPG in autumn 2025.
We support the need to strengthen the policy basis for the repowering and lifetime extension of existing sites, building on paragraph 168c) of the NPPF which requires significant weight to be given to the benefits of utilising an established site.
In our experience, and as shown by various research[17], such projects can deliver significant benefits in terms of additional energy generation but can also give rise to different or additional impacts to those considered for the original wind farm, which require careful consideration, particularly in relation to matters such as turbine height, blade length, associated infrastructure/works, transportation/access arrangements and residential amenity considerations (including noise, visual impact and shadow flicker).
The updated guidance should include clarity on the scope of information required to be submitted with relevant planning applications and confirmation that the principle of development is established.
A positive start but more needs to be done
Overall, we welcome the scale of ambition the Strategy proposes and support the proposed actions it sets out for Government and Industry to take forward. However, these should, in our view, be only the start of what is needed to truly unlock onshore wind in England and to achieve the Government’s CP30 targets – more is still needed to address the challenges of deployment.
Whilst there is detailed focus on resolving the interrelationship with onshore wind and aviation safeguarding, the Strategy only briefly touches upon the need to update guidance in respect of other relevant matters (i.e. landscape, cultural heritage and noise) and lacks clarity on other factors (including the role onshore wind can play in supporting nature recovery and biodiversity net gain, as well as other residential amenity issues such as shadow flicker). A comprehensive approach to addressing all these matters in the round is needed, and quickly, if the Government is genuine about its desire to drastically scale up deployment. The limited availability of suitable sites for commercial-scale onshore wind farms in England will require a thorough redefinition of the threshold of acceptability across various environmental and amenity considerations to truly achieve the turnaround in the fortunes of onshore wind in England that the Government is hoping for. We wait with anticipation for further updates to guidance and policy in this regard.
For further information on the Strategy or the future of onshore wind in England, please contact Thomas Lord, Catrin Jones, Mark Worcester or Nicola Riley. Stay tuned for insights from our wider service teams on some of the other Actions within the Strategy.
17 July 2025
[1] DESNZ Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy - July 2025
[2] Clean Power 2030 Action Plan - GOV.UK
[4] DESNZ Onhsore Wind Tasforce Strategy - Theme 1 - Page 22
[5] Policy statement on onshore wind - GOV.UK
[6] National Planning Policy Framework
[7] DESNZ Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy - Action 2
[8] Proposed changes to the NPPF: turbo charging renewable energy generation | Turley
[9] Future Wales: the national plan 2040 | GOV.WALES
[10] DESNZ Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy - Action 4
[11] DESNZ Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy - Action 5
[13] DESNZ Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy - Action 6
[14] DESNZ Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy - Action 7
[15] DESNZ Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy - Action 8
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