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Government Launches Consultation to Relax Wind Turbine Planning Rules

The consultation will collect feedback on expanding automatic installation rights for small wind turbines on semi-detached, terraced homes, business premises, farms ahead of rule revisions by year-end.

Detached homes can install a single turbine in their gardens without planning permission (Photo: Olga Dobrovolska/Getty)
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Overview

  • Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has opened a consultation on easing planning requirements to help homeowners, farmers and businesses install small-scale onshore wind turbines without full permission.
  • The initiative underpins a plan to boost onshore wind capacity from 15 GW to 29 GW by 2030, envisioning about 2,500 new turbines up to 7 MW in size.
  • Proposals would extend permitted development rights beyond detached properties to include semi-detached and terraced homes as well as commercial and agricultural sites.
  • Environmental campaigners highlight gains for energy security and job creation while wildlife charities warn that habitat protections must be strengthened.
  • Experts caution that high installation costs of £20,000–£25,000 and low urban wind speeds have left domestic uptake stalled, with just four certified home turbines installed in 2024.