The new UK climate change film ‘The Age of Stupid‘ was screened in London for the first time today. Speaking at the screening, Ed Miliband urged people to support their local wind energy projects.

Miliband - Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change said “The government needs to be saying, it is socially unacceptable to be against wind farms in your area - like not wearing your seat belt or driving past a zebra crossing”

Wind energy is today prominent in the news with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) today calling on the government to increase its commitment to onshore wind. A report issued by the RSPB “Positive Planning for Onshore Wind” sets out how the UK should significantly expand its onshore wind capacity with new evidence demonstrating that it is possible to build and operate onshore wind farms without damage to wildlife.

Maria McCaffery, Chief Executive of the British Wind Energy Association said “Research on wind farms has consistently shown that wind turbines have a minimal impact on wildlife. On the other hand, it is now beyond doubt that climate change could have a devastating impact on bird habitats, if we don’t act soon. RSPB’s call for a step change in onshore wind deployment is timely and well judged”.

The introduction of the new government quango - the Infrastructure Planning Committee (IPC) is also causing a stir, although the national press and the public are misinterpreting its role which - for wind energy projects - is purely for deciding on the largest schemes of over 50 MW (around 25 wind turbines) and other major development such as airports and nuclear power stations. Most new wind farms in the UK proposed over the next 10 years will be under the 50MW threshold figure and fall to be decided by local government.

Given that the IPC will follow a very similar procedure to that currently in existence via the Electricity Act - it is not clear why individuals and organisations feel so threatened by the IPC which is to be introduced through the new Planning Act. To anyone who has read the new UK Planning Act it is clear that there will be no reduction in democratic rights- in reality, and perhaps rather unfortunately, there will be very little change to the system at all.

The Guardian quotes Council for Protection of Rural England (CPRE) Devon representative Chairman Bob Barfoot as saying that Secretary of State intervention would be “undermining democracy” despite the same intervention being in place now. The Conservative government is also widely known to be opposed.

Currently planing applications for wind farms and other energy development over 50MW are decided by the Secretary of State (DECC) with local authorities being consulted. Their views hold much weight. The IPC may involve more dedicated staff and tweaked procedures, however it does not change the right of the individual and local groups to be heard at a public inquiry as they have under the existing system today. For more information about the planning act visit the Planning Portal website.