There is a shadow war going on inside the green movement, pitting climate against the environment. The debate on whether to sacrifice woodland for the long-term carbon benefits of HS2 is one of the loudest battles in this ongoing conflict. However, similar arguments are raging across the country on a much smaller scale. Ironically, in order to save our environment, we are going to have to build. Wind turbines, solar farms, and hydroelectric dams all require space. The UK’s outdated housing stock needs to be upgraded, and new efficient buildings need to be constructed nationwide.
Unfortunately, there are numerous stories where much-needed climate infrastructure is being blocked by local NIMBY campaigns. It seems that no party is immune to these siren calls, with even Green Party Councillors opposing local solar farms. Even more prevalent are attempts to obstruct new housing developments, which often incorporate modern smart energy systems, high-quality insulation, and renewable heating systems such as heat pumps. It is frustrating to witness essential advancements in the fight against climate change being impeded for so-called “environmental reasons.”
However, the real culprit behind these setbacks is not just the local NIMBYs (although they certainly don’t help), but our outdated planning laws. One of the main contributors to the recent decline in onshore wind developments was legislation passed by David Cameron’s government, which required developers to only build in designated renewable energy areas. Furthermore, these developments needed to have *unanimous* support from local residents, essentially creating a de facto ban on this vital technology.
The problem extends beyond wind farms; it affects every technology, from solar farms to anaerobic digestion plants. Our planning laws pose one of the biggest obstacles to the widespread implementation of clean, secure, and affordable energy across the UK. An analysis by Turley revealed that between 2021 and 2022, solar developments equivalent to 147,000 homes were blocked by planning authorities, compared to just four projects being refused planning between 2017 and 2020.
It is crucial to note that opposition to local renewable developments often comes from a small but vocal minority. Polling data consistently shows that a significant majority, as high as 75%, supports the development of renewable energy, with numbers rising to 81% when there are direct benefits for the local community. This means that the draconian renewable planning laws, supposedly implemented to protect local communities, actively go against the wishes of the majority of the British people.
However, let’s not mince words. The most compelling argument in favour of these developments is that if we fail to build new sources of renewable energy, we will become increasingly reliant on foreign, often authoritarian, energy producers. This dependence will inevitably drive up energy bills for those least able to afford them and, above all, it will bring us perilously close to the deadly point of no return.
The need for urgent action on climate change cannot be overstated. The consequences of inaction are severe and far-reaching. Our planning laws must be reformed to align with the pressing need for renewable energy infrastructure. The process of obtaining planning permission for vital projects should be streamlined and made more transparent. Public consultation should be conducted, but decisions should ultimately be based on the broader societal and environmental benefits of such developments. Our future depends on it.
