Lords’ vote could set referendum for new wind farms

Every new wind farm in Britain could need a referendum for approval after a vote on the Localism Bill in the House of Lords later today, a renewable body has warned. The Localism Bill going through the House of Lords at the moment is intended to dish out more power to local councils and communities. […]

Environmental committee to scrutinise Localism Bill

The Environmental Audit Committee will this afternoon hold a one-off evidence session on the government’s Localism Bill. The session will specifically focus on whether the Bill should include a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ and how this should be defined. This ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ was part of the coalition’s proposal to […]

Wind power firm backs Localism Bill

The government’s Localism Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has said the bill will “give councils the power and the authority they need to make sensible decisions for the area” and provide people with “new rights, new powers, new opportunities to act on the issues that […]

Scottish Renewables urge planning overhaul

As Westminster published its Localism Bill yesterday, trade organisation Scottish Renewables has called for changes in the regulatory and planning regimes north of the border to realise Scotland’s renewable ambitions. The launch of a new policy paper – Driving the Low Carbon Economy: Planning – highlights changes needed to increase efficiency, drive down cost and […]