CAMPAIGNERS welcomed Labour’s announcement that it will lift the ban on onshore wind power today.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to reverse the “absurd” ban implemented under former PM David Cameron in 2015.

Previously, schemes were subject to stringent planning rules, such as proof that there was no local opposition, unlike other infrastructure. 

Labour has pledged to reverse the ban and quadruple offshore wind by 2030 in its bid to transition to clean energy.

Greenpeace has described onshore wind as the “cheapest, cleanest energy going.”

Its chief scientist Dr Doug Parr said: “As the recent gas price crisis shows, this ban was self-defeating for energy security, costly, and lost opportunities to cut emissions.”

End Fuel Poverty Coalition co-ordinator Simon Francis said: “Ensuring the government makes Britain a clean energy superpower in a nature-friendly way is essential so that we can bring down bills and reduce our dependence on volatile oil and gas for good.”

He warned however that “long-term decisions like this do not negate the need for more support for struggling households in the short term to help them stay warm this winter.”