Young are twice as likely to be wind turbine Nimbys

YOUNG people are twice as likely to oppose new onshore wind farms than older generations, a poll has found.

Almost 30 per cent of 18 to 24-yearolds said they did not support new onshore wind power development, compared to just 15 per cent of those aged 55 to 64, according to a survey for centre-Right think tank Bright Blue.

Among those aged 65 and above, opposition was at 19 per cent.

Young people were also less likely to support new solar farm developments, with only half saying they would want to see more, compared to 74 per cent of over 65s.

The polling – conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2,243 adults – confounds stereotypes of older people as Nimbys opposed to renewable development compared to younger eco-minded generations.

But the 18 to 24-year-olds opposed to onshore wind and solar also showed significant concern about climate change, said Bright Blue’s Bartek Staniszewski.

The lack of enthusiasm among young people may reflect support for the “degrowth” movement, which calls for abandoning rising consumption to limit impacts on the environment, he said.

The polling also showed young people were significantly more likely to have a negative view of their neighbours installing a heat pump, compared to older generations.

More than 25 per cent said they would have a negative view, compared to an average of 15 per cent among over-45s.

“Anti-development and pro-environment attitudes, and being anti-growth in general” seems to be the cause of opposition to onshore wind and solar among young people, Mr Staniszewski said.

The polling found 65 per cent of the public approves of new onshore wind power development. The figure was 68 per cent for solar development.

Support was particularly high for both among the over-65s, with 70 per cent supporting new onshore wind.

The Government has said it recognises the need for onshore wind to meet its clean energy targets, and last year changed rules so that new turbines could not be blocked by a single objection. But the industry has said the changes do not go far enough to encourage investment, because of continuing restrictions including the need for councils to proactively declare a site suitable for turbines.

Planning applications for only three new turbines have been made since the changes, according to Renewables UK.