Commenting on Government plans to make it harder for onshore wind turbines to get the go-ahead, Friends of the Earth's Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said:

"Another day, another Government attack on efforts to tackle climate change.

"Earlier this week the Liberal Democrat leadership helped torpedo proposals to clean up the power sector, now they’re allowing the Conservative right to scupper onshore wind. 

"Communities should have a say on wind farms and get direct benefits for hosting them, but rigging the planning system to allow a vocal minority to block turbines would be a disaster.

“Carbon-intensive developments such as fracking, airport expansion and new roads will also impact on local people – so is the Government planning to give communities a greater say on these too? 

"If the Government continues to scare away green investors it will leave the economy and cash-strapped households hooked on dirty and increasingly costly fossil fuel for decades.”

ENDS 

Notes to editors: 

1. DECC - Onshore wind: communities to have a greater say and increased benefits.

2. DECC’s latest opinion survey shows 68% either support or strongly support onshore wind, with 11% opposed or strongly opposed. This is the highest level of support since the survey started in early 2012. 

3. Asked if they would agree with the statement ‘I would be happy to have a large scale renewable development in my area’, 56% either strongly or slightly agreed, with 21% slightly or strongly disagreeing. See ‘Table of headline findings’ and then the tab for renewables.

4. Friends of the Earth’s Clean British Energy campaign, backed by TV Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden, is urging the Government to act now to fix our broken energy system by setting a target in the Energy Bill to clean up our electricity by 2030. Slashing energy waste and developing renewable power from our wind, sun and waves will tackle climate change, create thousands of UK jobs, and make our future fuel bills more predictable. To find out more and back the campaign visit: www.cleanbritishenergy.co.uk.