Good Law Project Seeks Judicial Review Over UK Government’s Exclusion of Onshore Wind
Good Law Project Challenges UK Government Over Exclusion of Onshore Wind Projects
The Good Law Project has taken a stand against the UK government, accusing it of acting unlawfully by continuing to exclude onshore wind projects from its planning policies. In a letter to the government, the Good Law Project outlined its grounds for seeking a potential judicial review, citing the government’s failure to provide reasons for excluding onshore wind despite its own policies on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Since planning reform in 2015, developers have been unable to pursue new onshore wind projects in England, while support for such projects exists in other parts of the UK. Last year, the UK government updated a footnote in the National Planning Policy Framework in an attempt to address concerns about barriers to onshore wind development. However, experts have questioned the practical impact of this intervention, noting that no new projects were submitted following the update.
Planning law expert Gary McGovern of Pinsent Masons highlighted the industry’s feedback on the need to include onshore wind in energy infrastructure policies, emphasizing the importance of having up-to-date policies in place to address energy security and net zero goals. Despite the government’s claims of a world-leading renewables sector, concerns remain about the exclusion of onshore wind projects and the potential for policy uncertainty.
In response, a spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero defended the government’s position, citing the success of renewables in the UK and the flexibility provided to local councils in considering onshore wind projects. However, the Good Law Project’s challenge raises important questions about the government’s approach to onshore wind development and its alignment with climate change goals.
As the legal battle unfolds, the future of onshore wind projects in the UK hangs in the balance, with stakeholders closely watching the outcome of this challenge to government policy.