Rishi Sunak has been forced into a humiliating U-turn to allow more wind farms to be built in England.
More than 30 Tory MPs, including former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, signed an amendment to end an effective ban.
The rebellion was led by the ex-Cabinet Minister Simon Clarke, who said it would "cut bills, cut emissions" and strengthen energy security.
Under current rules energy companies are allowed to build wind farms at sea but strict rules have effectively prevented new sites in the countryside.
During the summer's Tory leadership race, Mr Sunak vowed never to "relax the ban on onshore wind in England, instead focusing on building more turbines offshore".
He warned they caused “distress and disruption” to local communities.
But the Government said tonight: “To deliver a more localist approach, and its commitments in the British Energy Security Strategy, the Government will consult on proposed changes to national planning policy.
“This follows positive engagement with MPs.
“Under the proposals, planning permission would be dependent on a project being able to demonstrate local support and appropriately address any impacts identified by the local community.
Image:
Getty Images)“Local authorities would also have to demonstrate their support for certain areas as being suitable for onshore wind, moving away from rigid requirements for sites to be designated in local plans.”
The climbdown came after Business Secretary Grant Shapps last week signalled a U-turn as he attempted to claim "we're all basically saying the same thing".
"There will be more, over time, particularly where communities are in favour of it," he added.
