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1667 Onshore Wind (Planning Policy) 6 JUNE 2013 Onshore Wind (Planning Policy) 1668
which local authorities currently can have regard, and
to which the best local authorities will already have
regard?
Mr Prisk: The hon. Gentleman makes an important
point, which is that the policy has not changed. The
frustration that many Members have experienced is
about the way in which it has been applied at a local
level. He is right to say that we are now making sure
that these matters are dealt with in the appropriate
fashion at the local level. These will now be material
considerations, which is an important aspect. The policy
has been clear. The sad part, as many hon. Members on
both sides of the House have said, is that the application
has been inconsistent. That problem will now be solved.
Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): Is the
Minister aware that the beautiful county of
Northumberland has a large number of wind farm
applications, and that there will be a welcome for this
coalition Government’s recognition that visual and
cumulative impact should be more effectively recognised
in the system and that communities where appropriately
sited wind farms are built should get a greater benefit
from that?
Mr Prisk: My right hon. Friend is absolutely right; I
have often felt that issues of amenity and landscape are
things that people do care about in terms of their
environmental considerations. This guidance will help
to ensure that the balance is right now.
Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): The
Minister has not made it clear whether this will apply in
Wales and England. Irrespective of that, will he confirm
that it will mean more wind farms in urban areas and
fewer in rural areas, and that more electricity will therefore
be generated in Labour constituencies for Conservative
constituencies, with the Liberals blowing in the wind, as
normal?
Mr Prisk: No, it does not apply to Wales and no, the
hon. Gentleman is wrong.
Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): The borough
of Kettering is enthusiastic about its successful and
expanding wind farm at Burton Wold, but we do not
want wind turbines all over the countryside. Can the
Minister assure my constituents that they can use the
very good example of that wind farm to protect against
the spread of wind turbines everywhere else?
Mr Prisk: That is the thing that people feel; the
cumulative issue is often the concern that local communities
have. That is why this guidance will strengthen the arm
to make sure that it is a genuine material consideration.
People will now feel that they are to contribute to the
planning process, and that is good for the process itself.
John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab/Co-op):
So there is still no veto?
Mr Prisk: There seems to be a lack of understanding
among Labour Members. This is not about vetoes; it is
about making sure, in a legal system, that we have
appropriate and due consideration of the material issues—
topography, amenity and heritage. On this idea that we
have a blanket veto here at the Dispatch Box, I know
that that is how they liked to do it in the Labour party
in the past, but we let local people decide.
Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): While I warmly
welcome my hon. Friend’s statement, as I am sure most
of my colleagues do, may I just point out to him that it
contains no reference to general aviation and the Ministry
of Defence, both of which have enormous concerns
about the impact of wind farms? May I give just one
example? As one of the few currently licensed aviators
in this House, I was flying on Monday past Popham, in
the constituency of my right hon. Friend the Member
for North West Hampshire (Sir George Young), where
there is a huge concern about 22 wind turbines, each the
height of the London Eye, and the massive impact they
can have on general aviation. May I ask the Minister to
take into account those concerns, which are certainly
shared by my hon. Friends the Members for Romsey
and Southampton North (Caroline Nokes) and for
Winchester (Steve Brine)?
Mr Prisk: My hon. Friend makes a very good point,
and we do need to consider that issue, although of
course what he is referring to is strictly outside the
nature of this statement. Perhaps I, or indeed the Secretary
of State, might like to take a flight with him to see this
directly.
Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab/Coop):
I realise that the announcement on the planning
changes refers to England, but given that the Government
appear to have had time to brief the media, did they
also have time to discuss any of this with the Scottish
Government, as there will be concerns that it will perhaps
be tougher to obtain planning permission in England
and that that will have knock-on consequences in Scotland?
Mr Prisk: Clearly this is a devolved matter, but if the
hon. Lady is directly concerned, she needs to talk to the
Scottish Government, as we are already doing.
Mr Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con): I have tried to
push the Minister on this important issue, but will he
just clarify whether the current applications at judicial
review are included in the change in guidance?
Mr Prisk: The key point is that if a determination has
been made, that cannot be undone, whether that is at
the local level or at the planning level, and that, I think,
incorporates any other aspect where there is a decision
about this. Once a decision has been published, that
clearly cannot be changed by this guidance.
Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab): E.ON wants to build
a wind farm consisting of 25 wind turbines in the
middle of my constituency, generating 64 MW of electricity,
which is therefore over the 50 MW threshold. The final
decision will be made by the Secretary of State. Does
this announcement today mean that if the local planning
authority is opposed and the local community is opposed,
the Secretary of State will say no to it?
Mr Prisk: It is cute of the hon. Gentleman to try to
tempt me into that area. He knows that these are
quasi-legal decisions, and I am not going to comment
on any individual application. What we have done