RESIDENTS may be given the right to block plans for onshore windfarms under new plans which could see all such new developments pushed offshore.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has written to councils telling them local concerns must come before the need for renewable energy and that planners must consider the impact on the landscape.
However, under the same ruling, communities are to be offered "inducements" of up to £100,000 for not objecting.
The cash could be used for community buildings - paid for by developers - or residents could get up to £400 a year off their energy bills, a spokesman for the Department of Energy will reveal today.
A spokesman for David Cameron told The Sun today, the Prime Minister felt it was "very important local people are taken into account.
But Caroline Flint, shadow secretary for energy and climate change, dubbed the inducement scheme a form of "bribery".
What do you think? Will communities take the money or will the new ruling give campaigners the leverage they need to prevent such developments?
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