Farmers and landowners in the North West who have previously been advised that wind turbines are not a viable diversification option are now being encouraged to reconsider their potential.

It is expected that a policy change could mean onshore wind will soon be able to again compete for government-backed contracts, with the energy source likely to be seen as playing an important role in the UK’s efforts to achieve carbon net zero status.

“At the moment onshore wind schemes will be refused planning permission if they receive local objection,” said Martin Williams, Associate at Carter Jonas. “Developers haven’t been prepared to take that risk, so since 2015, onshore wind has all but ceased in England.

“The government’s White Paper for Energy also doesn’t mention onshore wind – a significant oversight considering it is one of the easiest and cheapest forms of renewable energy to deploy. However, we understand the Prime Minister is starting to reconsider its potential as the government strives to achieve net zero by 2050.

“Scotland and Wales are both reaching saturation point as developers look for large areas to accommodate turbines to operate subsidy-free schemes.”

This expected change of course from decision-makers in Westminster could prove the catalyst for wider adoption of onshore wind, with developers beginning to approach the owners of potential sites again.

“Onshore wind won’t be suitable for every location; standard turbines are now more than 150m tall, with sites coming forward in Scotland and Wales at over 200m to the tip, so they will be best suited to sites in northern England where its openness and rural landscape is best suited to this sort of development and allow for schemes to be screened by the rolling landscape.”