Wind Turbine / Solar Farm Planning Consultation Assistance

RE: Wind Turbine / Solar Farm Planning Consultation Assistance

2026-04-30T09:33:14Z

Thanks Richard, I take your point and I do agree. I’m not aware of any reference to this guidance from a Planning Minister, nor of it being picked up in the NPPF or via a WMS, I just came across it and found it quite informative. I wouldn’t suggest it should be treated as Government Guidance in a formal sense.

RE: Wind Turbine / Solar Farm Planning Consultation Assistance

2026-04-29T09:43:26Z

These look fantastic Emma - but I wish government would be more consistent and direct

If these do represent current UK gov planning policy for renewables they really should be referenced in the NPPF or at least referenced in a WMS from the Planning Minister. As it stands these appear to be jointly produced by a think tank with some endorsement from the UK gov and I can see NIMBY objectors playing legal games if these are taken as UK gov planning policy. There are lessons from this case that don't seem to have been learned: R (Wright) v Forest of Dean DC & Resilient Energy Severndale Ltd. Although this Regen guidance is clearly more squarely to do with land use planning and is more obviously capable of being a material consideration per the Planning Acts, it could still be an error of law to represent it as 'Government Planning Guidance' unless or until it is integrated into policy and guidance from a Planning Minister - which was the second error in Wright.

Can you or anyone else link to any reference to this excellent guidance from a Planning Minister in case I've missed this and I've been wasting my breath?

RE: Wind Turbine / Solar Farm Planning Consultation Assistance

2026-04-27T08:07:30Z

You may be aware but the Government has produced some advice on assessing clean energy projects, which might help:

On shore wind - 2026-03-31 Assessing onshore wind applications - Regen.pdf

Ground mounted solar - 2026-03-31 Assessing ground-mounted solar applications - Regen.pdf

RE: Wind Turbine / Solar Farm Planning Consultation Assistance

2026-04-23T07:23:05Z

You might find that your Net Zero hub are helpful. I think yours is North West Net Zero Hub.

Generally glare is not a problem and many panels are designed to be suitable at airports.

Flicker is only an issue if the turbine is between the sun and a dwelling, when the sun is low in the sky.

Ask the applicant to say what they are doing to address the issues and you can use that information to get insight from the Hub.

Helen

Wind Turbine / Solar Farm Planning Consultation Assistance

2026-04-22T12:58:02Z

I work for Environmental Health at Chorley Council and we have a planning consultation for a wind turbine and solar farm which is on the boundary of a neighbouring LA, but residents which are likely to be affected in both.

The main environmental concerns are shadow flicker / noise and solar glare. We are looking for some external assistance / consultancy to initial review the supporting documentation, prepare a consultation response and then if required, assist us with the planning hearing process. Would anyone know of someone who would be able to assist us?

Many thanks Paul