Commenting on new planning guidance on renewable energy and climate change, published today (Monday 29 July 2013), Friends of the Earth’s Planning Campaigner Naomi Luhde-Thompson said: “Eric Pickles rightly says the views of local people must be listened to when making planning decisions – it’s outrageous this doesn’t apply when it comes to fracking.
“Under these proposals clean energy schemes such as wind turbines could be rejected on visual grounds, while fracking operations that threaten local communities and pollute our atmosphere could be given a virtual green light.
“It’s staggering that the Minister has refused to insist on councils playing their part in developing renewable energy goals – unless everyone take urgent action, the UK will fail to meet its targets for slashing emissions.”
ENDS
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