Most UK voters want to end de-facto onshore wind ban – poll

Polling by Savanta for climate charity Possible found 74% of those quizzed supported the rapid overturning of the effective ban on onshore wind – to benefit the climate, bring down energy bills, or both.

The survey was published just a week before the country heads to the polls in a general election on 4 July, with the centre-left opposition Labour Party widely tipped to win a majority and end 14 years of Conservative rule. 

The same poll of 2,300 people found that only 11% opposed overturning the onshore wind ban, which former Conservative prime minister David Cameron introduced in 2015 – with rules that stopped schemes going ahead if there were any objections. 

Labour says it will overturn the ban within weeks if it wins the election.

The energy industry has pointed out that onshore wind is one of the cheapest forms of new power, can be built quickly and reduces dependence on expensive gas, contributing to efforts to cut climate emissions.

Alethea Warrington, senior campaigner at climate charity Possible, said: “Onshore wind is an overwhelmingly popular form of energy because it’s good for our energy bills and for the climate.

“This polling shows that the public wants the next government to unleash this clean energy revolution as soon as the election is over.

“The public can see this will bring down bills while cutting carbon and strengthening our energy security.

“It’s time to empower local people to race ahead on powering their communities with this clean, cheap energy.”