More onshore wind farms could be built across Norfolk following what is effectively the easing of a ban on such turbines in England.
The government has amended planning rules to make it easier for onshore wind farms to be built after coming under pressure from a group of Tory MPs.
It means that years-long legal battles such as a dispute over two turbines in Bodham and Hempstead in north Norfolk could be a thing of the past.
The decision has been welcomed by North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker, who believes the public perception of onshore wind projects has gone “a full 180 degrees” in the last 10 to 15 years.
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Speaking in parliament a debate over the forthcoming Energy Bill, Mr Baker said: “People recognise we need our own energy security, and we need sustainable clean, green forms of energy to decarbonise - a mix that gives us security, and that’s why I support this move.
“Things have changed. I think this is one of the most sensible, pragmatic and low-cost ways of producing more clean green energy, and that is why I support it.”
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Mr Baker said, however, that communities should be at the heart of future onshore wind farm projects, and sites must be “well designed, and sympathetic to the landscape.”
In 2020, the Planning Inspectorate gave the green light for a 66m turbine to be built at Pond Farm in Bodham and a 78m turbine at Selbrigg Farm in Hempstead - around 3km apart - despite North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) trying to have them stopped.
At the time, Mr Baker criticised the district council for ending the legal fight, saying he would have "fought on" against the turbines.
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