Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Clean Energy Projects: Planning System

Tuesday 4 July 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Clive Efford asked about discussions between the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Department on reforming the planning system for clean energy projects.
  • Clive Efford questioned the effectiveness of the Government's consultation on planning, citing potential costs for families.
  • James Gray inquired about the cumulative effects of solar farms and the presumption against large solar projects.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst
Housing Energy
Context

The adequacy of the UK's planning system for clean energy projects is being questioned, with concerns over the pace of reform.

Question

What discussions has he had with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the adequacy of the planning system for clean energy projects?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

My Department has been working closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on delivering the proposals in the published action plan for reforming and speeding up the nationally significant infrastructure project planning process. An important part of those reforms involves updating and strengthening the national policy statements for energy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specifics about discussions or adequacy of the current system.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst
Climate Energy
Context

James Robottom, head of onshore wind at RenewableUK, criticized the government's consultation process as hindering investment in the onshore wind industry.

Question

Last weekend, James Robottom said that he does not expect much from the Government's consultation on planning. He stated obstacles to new onshore wind development would severely hinder investment and increase costs for families by £180 annually. Is it time to remove this useless Government?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

This useless Government who have delivered 43% renewables on to the grid! The consultation on national policy statements closed on 23 June, and the Government remains on track to present them to Parliament by the end of 2023.

Not addressed: The question was about the impact of the consultation process. The answer criticizes the opposition without addressing Robottom's concerns.

How: Criticizing The Opposition

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 James Gray Con
Energy Environment
Context

Wiltshire, being second largest in England for solar farms, faces concerns over the cumulative impact on grade 3a and 3b agricultural land.

Question

Local authorities have a presumption in favour of solar, but should they not also consider the cumulative effect of solar farms? If the new Red Barn project at Kington St Michael is added, it will be one of the largest solar farms in Britain. Will the Minister include a presumption against solar farms on grade 3a and 3b agricultural land?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

Food security is incredibly important, and we will prioritise less productive land for the deployment of solar farms. Our reforms aim to ensure that infrastructure developers consider how projects can address community concerns, engaging with them regularly during pre-application stages.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about presumption against solar farms was not directly addressed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email