Has Lifting Onshore Wind Restrictions in England Delivered Real Change?

In July 2024, the UK government formally lifting onshore wind restrictions in England was a bold move. It essentially reversed years of policy that had stifled the sector’s growth since 2015.

It was a long-awaited move in the renewable energy sector, and involved removing two planning clauses in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that effectively prevented new wind projects from being built.

For developers and landowners alike, removing this de facto ban marked a new chapter. In theory, it promised to reintegrate onshore wind into the country’s clean energy strategy immediately.

At the time, I highlighted the significance of the change in our dedicated post on the Labour’s Wind Farm Announcement. It was deemed a policy breakthrough that could bring real potential to rural and semi-rural landowners who wanted to host a project on their land. Plus, it marked a shift toward prioritising renewables across England.

Now, I’m interested in assessing the impact of this policy announcement a year on. Has lifting onshore wind restrictions in England brought any measurable change? Have other bottlenecks simply taken their place? Is it too soon to see any real progress?

Let’s take a closer look.

What Happened in July 2024?

There’s no doubt that the policy change that summer was meaningful.

Before the reform, developers in England had to meet two near-impossible tests.

First, any wind project had to be located in a site specifically identified in a local plan. Second, any single unresolved community objection could be enough to block approval. The combination of these two tests created a planning environment so restrictive that developers largely stopped applying.

By lifting onshore wind restrictions in England, the government removed both barriers. Planning decisions were returned to local discretion, which allowed applications to be judged more fairly.

The reforms also clarified support for repowering, and positioned large-scale wind developments as part of the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime. Doing this would allow for faster approval on major schemes.

This policy shift was met with optimism for the most part. Developers re-engaged with dormant projects and began reaching out to landowners to host new projects. The announcement also marked a clearer pathway for one of the most cost-effective forms of low-carbon power.

The Impact of the Announcement

Since the reform, the UK’s onshore wind pipeline (which includes projects in development, consented, under construction and operational) has grown.

Between September 2024 and September 2025, total capacity increased from 42,745?megawatts (MW) to 47,058?MW. That’s a gain of over 4 gigawatts (GW) in a single year, which reflects renewed confidence and activity in the sector.

The volume of consented and under-construction projects also rose from 7,568?MW to 8,458?MW. Meanwhile, operational capacity climbed to 15,827?MW, which was a modest but important move in the right direction.

It’s also crucial to mention that overall applications for wind (including onshore and offshore) rose by over 250 per cent between 2024 and 2025. This marks a solid step forward for the sector in an incredibly short space of time.

The effects across England

However, when we look specifically at the impact of lifting onshore wind restrictions in England, the picture is less dramatic.

As of April 2025, only 14 new planning applications had been submitted in England under the revised framework. These were largely small-scale, single-turbine projects amounting to just 9?MW of capacity.

Another dozen projects (totalling around 600?MW) were reportedly in early-stage development but hadn’t yet reached the planning submission phase.

The reality is that, while national policy has shifted, delivery in England remains slow as developers continue to play catch up.

What’s Holding Projects Back?

One reason the numbers haven’t surged is the time it takes for policy change to filter into local planning culture.

While the national rules have changed for the better, many local authorities have yet to revise their development plans accordingly. Others lack the internal capacity or confidence to process onshore wind applications, as they’ve seen so few over the past decade.

Grid availability is another major constraint here. Even when a site meets planning criteria, long wait times for grid connection (sometimes exceeding seven years) can make projects unviable. Developers must also navigate environmental assessments, aviation objections and increasingly complex supply chain conditions.

In short, lifting onshore wind restrictions in England was a vital first step. But it hasn’t resolved the structural friction that slows many renewable energy projects at the planning stage. At least, not yet.

The government’s Onshore Wind Taskforce strategy includes 42 specific actions to address these issues. But most of these are still being implemented and will naturally take time to come into force.

What This Means for Landowners

Despite slow national uptake, landowners in England are in a materially different position than they were 12 months ago as the policy environment is now on their side.

Developers are reassessing sites that were previously considered unworkable due to planning restrictions. And they’re also actively seeking new land partnerships (particularly where grid access and topography are favourable).

Repowering has also emerged as an especially viable route.

Landowners with older turbines on site should now be able to upgrade with less regulatory hassle. In some cases, they won’t even need a new community consultation.

These projects can be faster to deliver, offer better lease terms and produce more energy per acre than their first-generation predecessors.

The Takeaway: Change Is Underway, But It’ll Take Time

The government lifting onshore wind restrictions in England hasn’t sparked a development boom just yet, but it has reset the rules of engagement for new wind projects.

The pipeline is growing, developer interest is returning, and a more flexible planning environment is starting to take shape. For landowners, this means the groundwork is already in place. And now is the moment to act. If you’ve never explored wind before, or ruled it out years ago due to planning risk, this is the time to take a second look.

With our tailored solutions, we aim to take the guesswork out of renewables. Our approach is transparent, data-led, and designed to protect your interests at every stage of the journey.

Whether it’s using Lumify SiteStart™ for early-stage feasibility or Lumify SiteScan™ if you currently have a project on your land and are considering repowering, we help landowners unlock the long-term value of their land.

If you’re ready to explore what your site could achieve, get in touch. We’ll review your land, explain your options, and connect you with trusted developers that’ll bring your project to life.