LOCAL people have been given the final say over onshore wind farms as part of recent reforms to the planning system.

Communities secretary Greg Clark said: ‘Local residents must have the final say over whether onshore wind farm applications get the go-ahead in their area.

‘While onshore wind now makes a meaningful contribution to our energy mix, they are often imposed upon communities without consultation or public support.

‘Any application to build wind turbines will then need to have the clear backing of the community, with any planning concerns clearly addressed.’

Penny Mills from the Campaign to Protect Rural England said: ‘We welcome the fact that the Government is now at last aware of the devastating effects that wind turbines are having on our countryside as well as on the people who live and work within it.

‘This is something that can clearly be seen locally in Devon and Cornwall.

‘We also welcome the fact that the Government is now saying that only wind turbine applications that have the support of the local community would be able to be approved.’

However, farmers have criticised the changes for failing to distinguish between large-scale wind projects and single turbines.

The National Farmers’ Union is ­concerned about the impact that this ­decision may have on farmers wishing to diversify their businesses with on-site power generation.

NFU president Meurig Raymond said: ‘We’re shocked but not surprised at the extent of this apparent U-turn in low-carbon energy policy.

‘These new planning rules could impact significantly on our members’ ability to invest in wind projects, reduce their input costs and make farm enterprises more sustainable.

‘We strongly believe that the Government should have consulted more widely to ensure that these guidelines were fair and workable before bringing them into force.

‘The NFU would like to see a distinction made between “farm wind” and “wind farms” in order to enable our members to continue diversifying and supporting their businesses with locally generated renewable energy.’