LONDON, March 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* Farmers,factoriesand schoolsas well as public sector organisationscould soonbe able to install small onshore wind turbinesin Englandwithout needingto apply forplanning permission * Proposalswouldenablefarmers,businessesand schoolsto reduce theirbills, whileprotecting them against volatile fossil fuel markets * Another landmark step indelivering the clean power mission andreviving the onshore wind industry, after years of neglect under thedefactoban in England

Farmers,schoolsand manufacturers could soon cut their energy bills by installing small onshore wind turbines without needing planning permission.

Newgovernmentproposalstoday (Wednesday 18March)would allow businesses and public sector organisations to installoneturbineup to 30 metres- no bigger than an oak tree- withoutsubmittingplanning proposals, making it faster and cheaper to generate clean power on site.

Until now,planning regulationsand high planning costs have stopped many small wind projects before they began - even where they made clear financial sense. Removing this barrier gives organisations certainty to invest, while keeping strong safeguards to protect landscapes and local communities.

Proposals come as the government publishes its first ever land use framework - which shows decisively that land can be multifunctional for food production, clean energy, foodsecurityand nature restoration, supporting farmers to diversify and remain profitable in the face of extreme weather and market shocks.

The current conflict in the Middle East shows the only route to energy sovereignty for the UK is to end its dependence on fossil fuel markets and accelerate the transition to clean homegrown power.

Onshore wind is one of the cheapest and quickest energy technologies to build, andby removing barriers, the governmentwill helpfarmers,schoolsand factoriesto build the clean homegrown power that they need to protectthemselvesagainstvolatile fossil fuel markets.

The proposals follow the government securing the largest onshore wind project in England for a decadeduring itsrecord-breakingrenewables auction,after years of neglect,andat a cost far lower than new gas power stations.

Energy Minister Michael Shankssaid:

Byallowing farmers,schoolsand businessesto build a single small onshore wind turbine - no larger than an oak tree - without planning permission, we are giving them the tools to lower their bills and make the best use of their land.

In the midst of uncertain global markets, theonly way forhouseholds and businesses to havecertaintyisto invest in clean homegrown power such as onshore wind,one of the cheapestandquickestforms of energyto build.

This also comes as Great British Energy and the government through their rooftop solar scheme save up to an estimated combined £220 million for around 250 schools and colleges over the lifetime of the solar panels, taking pressure off finances and securing more money to be reinvested in classrooms.

Currently,permitteddevelopment rights for onshore wind in England apply only to small domestic turbines with strict height and size limits.

The new proposals would extend these rights to non-domestic premises, making it faster and simpler for organisations to generate clean electricity on site where key siting and safety conditions are met.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.