Wind-Farm Aesthetics a Factor in U.K. Decisions, Minister Says

The British government should give more weight to aesthetics when deciding whether to approve wind farms, the nation’s new energy minister said.

The U.K., which is seeking to more than double its onshore wind capacity by 2020, should also work harder to assess the opinions of communities where the facilities will be built said John Hayes, who was named to the post in September. He said local residents must also consider the jobs, skills and economic benefits derived by cleaner forms of energy.