The impact of local campaigns against wind energy developments

Many scholars have emphasised community resistance to locally sited wind energy schemes in their explanations of wind power planning outcomes and deployment rates, while others have questioned the impact of local objectors. To illuminate ways in which local protestors attempt to influence decisions over the siting of wind turbines, and the efficacy of their efforts, four cases of anti-windfarm protest in England are compared. Local protestors employ community mobilisation and direct argumentation in attempting to influence local authority decision making. At this level, mobilisation is effective, not only bringing political pressure to bear on elected decision makers, but also helping local groups to raise money to hire experts and professional advocates. At public inquiries, protestors have some influence through the supporting role they play to more significant objectors, notably local authorities, but may also influence outcomes through informal contacts preceding public inquiries.