UK public looks beyond visual impact in support for clean energy infrastructure

27 May 2026

New polling across Great Britain shows strong public backing for the UK’s energy infrastructure programme, with clear priorities centred on jobs, climate change and economic strength, rather than visual appearance.

The results of the polling, undertaken by Early Studies and commissioned by a group of energy trade associations, challenge a long-standing assumption in planning debates. They find that visual impact, which is often cited as a leading objection, is in fact the lowest-ranked concern for the public, with just 11% of respondents selecting it as a main consideration for future energy needs.

This view is consistent across the political spectrum, from 12% of Labour and Conservative voters to 11% of Reform UK voters and 10% of both Liberal Democrat and Green Party voters, highlighting near unanimous national alignment.

Instead, the public is focused on the practical outcomes of energy infrastructure such as lower bills, secure livelihoods and a strong, growing economy.

Significantly larger portions of the public prioritise industrial competitiveness (39%), reducing air pollution (37%) and protecting existing jobs (25%).

This does not mean people and developers are unconcerned about where and how infrastructure is built. Rather, it shows that visual impact is not as high a priority as is often presented in planning debates, and the public is prepared to support infrastructure that drives growth and job creation even when there is a visual impact.

Although visual impact continues to feature prominently in planning debates, this new data shows it does not reflect the priorities of most people. Across communities and political divides, the focus is firmly on building a competitive, secure and future-ready energy system.

Trevor Hutchings, CEO of the Renewable Energy Association:

“This survey reinforces what we already know: there is strong support for renewable energy, and while we must not ignore concerns about energy infrastructure on communities, visual impact, which is often cited as reasons to reject a development, is in fact the lowest-ranked issue for the public.

“What the public does care about is greater security, growth and jobs, and to get a grip on their energy bills. This is what home-grown clean energy will do.

“For the second time in four years, we have a fossil fuel energy crisis driving up bills and slowing the economy, and so the case for home grown clean energy has never been clearer.”