Labour will rip up planning rules to build wind farms 

Labour will rip up planning rules to speed up the construction of onshore wind farms and nuclear power plants if it wins the next election.

Projects judged critical to national energy infrastructure will be given priority for approval and the presumption will be shifted towards getting big projects built.

The “fast track” green energy scheme will be part of a wider climate change announcement by Sir Keir Starmer this month.

The Labour leader will say that:

• National planning policy statements will be updated to promote clean power development.
  • Tough new targets will be set to ensure decisions do not take months or even years, with a new framework to monitor decision times.
  • A directorate will be set up in the government to ensure departments and others who have to be consulted about planning reform do so quickly and the process remains on track.
  • Better data-sharing across government and agencies will mean applicants do not waste time collecting and analysing data that has already been looked at for another scheme.
  • Measures will be put in to ensure people share in the benefits of clean energy infrastructure in their areas, through lower bills or other facilities.

  However, it is understood that some in the party would like to go further so that towns and villages lose a veto over developments. Such a move would be controversial, but many of the areas affected are likely to be in Tory rural seats so radical change would be easier for Labour than the Conservatives, who were forced to drop national targets for housebuilding after a rebellion by backbenchers.

  Details of the plans emerged after Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, was forced to make clear that plans for £28 billion of borrowing to meet Labour’s net zero plans would have to be delayed until the second half of the next parliament.

  But a party source said the planning changes would show that Labour was firmly committed to more green energy. “Every clean energy infrastructure investor we speak to tells us the biggest barrier they face is the planning system,” the source said. “It’s fast becoming a national embarrassment.

  “We’re determined to fix this – and, in contrast to the Tories, we have the political will to do it. Businesses know this too, which is why they’re so enthusiastic about the prospect of a Labour government. We’re speaking their language.

  “That’s why, as part of the launch of our climate mission – which includes our target to get clean power by 2030 – we’re going to set out a fast track scheme for critical energy infrastructure which will speed up decision times and make the process easier, while working with communities.

  “As Keir said, we’re on the side of the builders, not the blockers.”

  Starmer will launch the climate “mission” with Ed Miliband, Labour’s spokesman for net zero.

  However, planning reform also has the strong backing of Reeves, who is understood to have been struck on a recent trip to the United States by the strength of feeling about the British planning system. “Everyone we met said that the biggest reason not to invest in the UK was the ludicrous time it takes to get planning approval,” said a source close to Reeves.

  John Milligan, managing director at BayWa r.e. UK, a green energy firm, said: “The key issue for the UK to address is the importance of unlocking investment, which will enable the green energy transition to be funded by low-risk and long-term capital.

  “In the UK we have a fantastic opportunity to deploy low-cost, renewable generation quickly. But to do this we need to improve speed of access to grid connections that are cost-effective, with reliable and timely delivery.”