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.