§ Mr. PriorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact of wind farms on the local environment. [64343]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe have issued national guidance on wind energy development in PPG22, and further guidance appears in PPG7, and also in the Report we issued recently "Planning for Sustainable Development—Towards Better Practice". The impact on the local environment is one of the relevant factors taken into account when considering planning applications for wind farms. Where wind farms are likely to have a significant effect on the environment, a formal Environmental Impact Assessment is required.
§ Mr. PriorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for fast-tracking planning permission for wind farms under the general permitted development orders. [64340]
§ Mr. RaynsfordI am satisfied that the existing arrangements are appropriate.