Making space for renewable energy: assessing on-shore wind energy development (NE254)

This document aims to assist Natural England staff to deliver a consistent and clear approach to the discharge of our statutory responsibilities in relation to the deployment of on-shore wind energy development.
The approach is a systematic and transparent way of assessing the key factors that influence the degree to which the natural environment can accommodate wind energy development. This approach can be used to identify, at both a strategic level and for individual proposals, where and how on-shore wind energy might be successfully accommodated within the natural environment.
The approach forms the basis of guidance that will be used by Natural England staff to inform their statutory comments and advice on draft spatial plan policies and other relevant strategies at regional, sub-regional and local level. It also underpins guidance to assist staff in their engagement in development control casework, chiefly through informing discussions and advice at the pre-application stage but also in guiding formal responses to consultations.
Further information