§ Lord Williams of Elvelasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 6 June (WA 148), whether they are satisfied, regardless of whether an investigation under Section 59 of the Electricity Act 1989 is to be conducted, that the applicants for planning permission to construct a woodburning power plant at Newbridge-on-Wye have given full and true answers to the Fourth Renewables Tranche questionnaire in respect of unreleased convenants affecting the land in question. [HL2754]
§ Baroness Farrington of RibbletonThe Department of Trade and Industry is gathering information to enable a decision to be made on whether to launch an investigation into the allegations that have been made regarding the proposed biomass power plant at Newbridge-on-Wye. The scope of any investigation would be to consider whether the generator knowingly or recklessly made, "any statement which he knows to be false in a material particular." It would not be appropriate to make conclusions as to the completeness or truthfulness of answers given in advance of that decision or any such investigation.
The award of a contract under the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation does not confer any special privilege in the planning approval process, which must be carried out in the normal way.