- The Chancellor vowed to 'get Britain building again' as she overturned ban
- David Cameron introduced ban nine years ago on new onshore wind farms
- Reeves said ban would hinder moves to make UK a 'clean-energy superpower'
Rachel Reeves yesterday paved the way for the construction of thousands of wind turbines as she vowed to 'get Britain building again'.
In her first set-piece speech as Chancellor, Ms Reeves ditched a nine-year ban on new onshore wind farms as she declared war on the planning system.
The ban was imposed by then PM David Cameron after a backlash in rural communities.
But Ms Reeves described the ban as 'absurd' and warned it would hinder progress towards Labour's bid to make the UK a 'clean-energy superpower'.
Minutes after she finished her speech at the Treasury, guidance was issued to local authorities lifting the ban.
In her first set-piece speech as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves ditched a nine-year ban on new onshore wind farms as she declared war on the planning system
New onshore wind farms were banned nine years ago by then PM David Cameron after a backlash in rural communities
The move could clear the way for the construction of more than 10,000 wind turbines by the end of the decade, as Labour pursues its target of decarbonising the electricity grid by 2030.
Ms Reeves also confirmed she will impose mandatory housing targets on councils in a push to build 300,000 homes a year.
The decision could put her on a collision course with new Labour MPs in parts of southern England where development has been a political flashpoint.
Former Tory energy minister Sir John Hayes said: 'Offshore wind farms are far more efficient – there is no case for moving back onshore.'
The move could clear the way for the construction of more than 10,000 wind turbines by the end of the decade
