The Conservatives have announced proposals that will make it more difficult for UK wind farms to be built on land if they win an election next year.

The Shadow Local Government Minister, Bob Neil visited East Riding Council last week to discuss the topic of wind farms in the district. Although the area is ideal for wind farms the Council is complaining that it is being put under too much pressure from wind farm proposals. The Council is struggling to justify its refusals when in front of a planning inspector at appeal, given the urgency to create a sustainable energy future.

Despite the region of Yorkshire and Humber not having reached its target for renewable energy the district of East Riding says it has done its fair share through accommodating several wind farms.

East Riding has few constraints to wind energy, particularly when compared with other districts across the UK and many believe the benefits of the area’s good wind resource and suitable sites should be taken advantage of if we are to improve our energy security and reduce the effects of climate change.

Politics.co.uk reported that Bob Neil met with Cllr Steve Parnaby, leader of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Neil said: “If the next government is led by the Conservatives we will be making some very significant revisions to planning policy.

“We will make it harder for developers to appeal against properly made local decisions and give power and control back to local communities.

“Following my visit I will look at how we might change the rules on community benefits from developments such as wind farms so that, where they do go ahead, there is a clear gain for local people.

“We need to get the balance right so that developments can proceed but with local support not local opposition” said Neil.

Wind energy developers will not welcome the proposals which place further restrictions on the wind farms needed to achieve renewable energy and climate change committments.