Abstract
This article examines a small body of decisions on applications for nationally significant wind energy projects under the Planning Act 2008, focussing on the ways in which Examining Authority reports respond to concerns expressed by publics. We draw three closely related conclusions. First, while there is nuance and flexibility, national policy tends to limit the scope for dissenting views to bear much weight, if any, in decision-making. Secondly, the strong national policy support for nationally significant wind farm development means that in many cases the Examining Authority is trying to find a way to deal with the publics’ concerns without dismissing them completely or classifying them as unimportant, and yet still allow the development to proceed. This leads to a focus on mitigation; a ‘how not whether’ approach to participation. Finally, albeit a little more tentatively, we conclude that these decisions confirm studies in a range of areas and jurisdictions that suggests a preference among decision makers for expert over lay constructions of knowledge.
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