The UK government is reportedly set to change the laws that ban the construction of new onshore wind farms as a result of internal party pressures. 

The rule changes follow the proposal of an amendment to the Energy Bill – set to be voted on by the government on Tuesday 5 September – that would make it easier for councils to pass planning applications for new turbines in places where there is public support. 

The amendment was put forward by the former Cop26 president Alok Sharma, and received the support of 20 MPs from all wings of the party including former Prime Minister Liz Truss. The move has also received backing from the Labour Party, meaning only six more Tory backbenchers would need to vote in favour to overturn the government’s majority.

“The government committed to changing planning rules by the end of April 2023 to overturn the de facto ban on onshore wind, but this has not happened to date,” Sharma said. 

“This amendment therefore seeks merely...