Landowners encouraged to build windfarms

As part of the Government's push for onshore turbine expansion, landowners will be encouraged to locate wind turbines on their land. The Government is seeking a limited number of onshore wind trials where, in exchange for hosting turbines, local households could reap benefits such as lower bills.

The energy giant Octopus has offered to link communities keen for a local wind turbine with landowners willing to have one on their property. Landowners will receive rent or a share of the project's income. A turbine requires around 10 acres of space.

Octopus said some 5,000 communities have registered interest in having a turbine nearby, giving them up to 50 per cent off their energy bills. It said the UK's top 30 landowners own over 1,500,000 acres of land, and that just 1 per cent of that would be enough for more than 1,500 turbines.

However, MPs and countryside groups have said onshore wind could encourage "inappropriate" developments that may spoil the landscape.

The Government originally planned to target a tripling of onshore wind by 2035 but dropped the target following a backlash from Tory MPs.

Broadgate Legal

London Solicitors

Tel; 0203 206 1133