CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride has welcomed changes to planning guidance in England giving communities more powers to block the development of onshore wind farms.

Changes introduced by the Government will give people a greater say over wind farms in their communities. New planning guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government will make clear that the need for renewable energy does not automatically override environmental protections and the planning concerns of local communities.

It will give greater weight to landscape and visual impact concerns, especially for heritage sites.

The law will be changed to make consultation with local communities compulsory for the more significant onshore wind projects, before planning permission is applied for.

Households will also get a reduction in their energy bills, if they allow wind farms to be built in their local area. The incentives offered to communities near new wind farm developments will increase fivefold. These subsidies could be used to reduce energy bills for local people.

Mr Stride said: 'Conservatives are giving people a proper say. Local people and their councils should not feel bullied into accepting proposals they do not want.

'The new rules make clear the concerns of communities must be heard. It also ensures people willing to have wind farms in their local area receive better incentives, saving some families up to £400 a year on their energy bills.'